Gaza deal ‘rewards Hamas,’ Israeli minister warns ahead of Netanyahu-Trump meeting

Israel’s National Security Minister warns that Gaza ceasefire deal now under consideration would enable Hamas to rebuild and rearm, urges Netanyahu to push back on pressure for truce.

By World Israel News Staff

A senior Israeli minister warned Monday that the Gaza ceasefire deal under consideration would “reward” Hamas and enable the terror group to reconstitute its forces.

Speaking at a faction meeting of the Otzma Yehudit party Monday afternoon, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to commit to adopting a proposed truce with Hamas currently on the table in Doha, Qatar, where brokered talks between the two sides were conducted throughout Sunday.

“The deal on the table is a reward for Hamas that will allow it to rebuild itself and creates a selection among the hostages,” Ben-Gvir said.

“I once again call on the Prime Minister to withdraw from this terrible mistake.”

Ben-Gvir spoke out hours ahead of Netanyahu’s meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, DC.

Trump has repeatedly suggested that a breakthrough in talks is likely in the immediate future.

On Sunday, the president said a ceasefire deal and hostage agreement could be reached this week.

While the talks on Sunday failed to break the impasse, Trump and Netanyahu are expected to discuss implementation of a possible two-month ceasefire deal during their meeting on Monday.

Minister Ben-Gvir, however, said Israel’s acceptance of multiple ceasefire deals in November 2023 and January of this year and its likely entry into a third truce enabled Hamas to rearm and rebuild its forces.

“We are making mistake after mistake, failing to learn the lessons, and it pains me to say—we are granting a victory to terror.”

Earlier this year, Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party briefly bolted the government in protest of the January ceasefire deal, but returned in March once the IDF resumed its campaign against Hamas.

“It is time to defeat Hamas,” continued Ben-Gvir. “Not to beg, not to pay, not to fear, not to surrender, not to retreat—but to go in with full force and defeat Hamas.”

“I’m telling you: this is not a deal of victory—it’s a deal of surrender.”

Noting that his party alone is unable to topple the Netanyahu government, with its 68 seats, Ben-Gvir reiterated his call on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, head of the Religious Zionist Party, to join him in blocking the security cabinet from backing a third ceasefire.

“Unfortunately, I only have six coalition seats, and I cannot block this move with my votes alone. In the past, when the government relied on my votes—I blocked such dangerous deals. If Minister Smotrich were to join me, we could prevent this dangerous deal.”

“Even now, as this dangerous deal is being formulated, I call on my colleague Bezalel to join forces with me and work together to thwart this dangerous move, which will again push us further from victory and allow Hamas to rebuild.”