Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has issued an ultimatum to Prime Minister Netanyahu, demanding the destruction of Hamas and structural changes within the Israeli regime as conditions for his continued participation.
Jan 15. 2025
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday has delivered a list of demands to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, setting conditions for his continued participation in the Israeli leadership in light of the regime’s approval of a ceasefire agreement with Gaza.
According to “Israel’s” Channel 7, the document submitted by Smotrich calls for a “clear commitment to completing the strategic goal of toppling Hamas’ rule in Gaza” and a “resumption of full-scale military operations at the end of the 42-day truce period, should Hamas’ rule persist.” The document also asks for “increased military force in the next phase of the fighting, utilizing additional means, and significantly reducing humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Smotrich’s demands go further, including calls for “permanent control over strategic areas in the Gaza Strip” and “advancing measures to encourage migration from Gaza.”
Structural changes within “Israel’s” security and military institutions were also proposed, with Smotrich demanding the replacement of the Chief of Staff and military commanders, as well as the “realignment of operational plans to sustain the fighting.”
In private discussions with Netanyahu, Smotrich reportedly stated, “I have never supported the release of Palestinian prisoners,” but added that he is “willing to stay in the government, provided Hamas is destroyed. Israel will pay the price if this does not happen.”
Channel 7 further noted that Smotrich has made it clear he feels compelled to leave the leadership due to the terms of the ceasefire agreement as currently outlined, saying he “must withdraw from the government due to the terms of the ceasefire deal as it stands.”
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