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Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Thursday night that he would withdraw his Jewish Power party from Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if it implements a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Mediators said on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas did it agreed on a multi-phase deal to end the 15-month war and free the 98 hostages still being held in Gaza.
However, Ben-Gvir and his ultra-nationalist ally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have repeatedly threatened to quit Netanyahu’s government if it accepts a deal ending the war.
Ben-Gvir repeated the threat on Thursday, but said his party could return to government if the war subsequently resumes.
Netanyahu the cabinet will meet on Friday to discuss approving a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, according to an Israeli official, after the prime minister had previously postponed the meeting, accusing Hamas of reneging on the deal.
The departure of Jewish Power would leave Netanyahu’s coalition with a two-seat majority in the Israeli parliament.
It would also increase pressure on Smotrich’s Religious Zionist Party to withdraw from Netanyahu’s government, a move that would likely cost the veteran prime minister his majority.
This is a developing story
