Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir warned that the terms of the hostage-ceasefire deal currently being discussed would constitute a serious moral failure and a strategic threat to the security of IDF soldiers and civilians.

By Anash.org reporter

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir warned that the terms of the hostage-ceasefire deal currently being discussed would constitute a serious moral failure and a strategic threat to the security of IDF soldiers and civilians.

According to recent reports, the government is considering a 60-day ceasefire agreement that would include the return of some living and deceased hostages. The agreement would also require an Israeli withdrawal from parts of the Gaza Strip, including areas around the Morag Corridor. These details have prompted strong opposition from some within the government and from families of hostages.

Minister Smotrich stated that if the government is planning to hand over territory captured by IDF soldiers at the cost of many lives, it would be a betrayal of the fighters and their families. “If the reports are true that the Prime Minister is prepared to withdraw from areas taken by our soldiers through great sacrifice – this would be a direct abandonment of the fighters and a violation of the promises made to them,” he said.

He added, “To withdraw from areas taken again and again with the blood of our soldiers, and to allow the enemy to return, rearm, and booby-trap them – and then send our sons to fight and take them back once more – is an act that cannot be explained.”

Smotrich canceled most of his meetings for the day and held urgent consultations in his office.

Minister Ben Gvir warned that these kinds of negotiations increase the likelihood of more kidnappings. He said that as long as the talks for such deals continue, the motivation of Hamas to carry out further abductions will only grow. He connected this to the death of Reservist Sgt. Avraham Azulai, HYD, who was killed during an attempted kidnapping.

He said, “The more the government engages in disgraceful deals – the more the terrorists are encouraged to try again. Last night, it cost us the life of a soldier.”

Ben Gvir called on the Prime Minister to immediately stop all negotiations. “Stop negotiating with a murderous terror organization, and do not pursue any agreement that will give it new strength. The lives of our soldiers and the residents of the South are more important than normalization or economic agreements. Give the order to crush Hamas completely. We do not have extra soldiers to lose in such deals.”

Hostage negotiations are ongoing. Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said that the current framework under discussion includes a 60-day ceasefire and the return of half of the hostages – both living and dead. He said he believes there is a good chance this can be achieved.

However, Netanyahu is expected to return to Eretz Yisroel later this week, and there is no indication that a final deal will be announced before then. One of Hamas’s main demands is a written commitment that the ceasefire will be permanent. Reports indicate that outside pressure is being placed on Israel to withdraw from areas that were captured by the IDF during the campaign.

Families of hostages from the Tikva organization issued a public statement expressing strong opposition to a partial deal. “The information reported in the media gives us no peace. While our loved ones are chained in cages under the ground, the Prime Minister and the negotiation team are discussing the rebuilding of Gaza. Hamas recognizes the pressure Israel is under – and hardens its demands.”

They wrote, “Where else in the world would such a thing be heard? Has the State of Israel already given up on victory and the return of all the hostages?”

The families referred to the attempted kidnapping the day before and said that the current direction of negotiations would endanger the remaining hostages, IDF soldiers, and the residents of the south. “Instead of halting all aid until the hostages are returned – they are discussing the rebuilding of Gaza. Instead of defeating Hamas – they are sitting with them for talks in Qatar. Instead of bringing everyone home – they are choosing who will be left behind. Mr. Prime Minister, you do not have a mandate to abandon the rest.”

Minister Smotrich released a statement mourning the soldiers who were killed in recent days in southern Israel. He offering condolences to their families and calling for strength and resolve to continue the fight until the enemy is destroyed and security is restored.

He said, “Those who call, out of pain or short-sightedness, to surrender to the enemy and end the fighting before Hamas is destroyed – will only bring more bloodshed in the future rounds of battle, which will certainly come if we do not finish the job now. A nation that loves life must have greater willpower and strength than its enemies. And thank G-d, we have that.”

He also called on the Prime Minister and the IDF Chief of Staff to immediately stop the entry of aid into enemy territory, and to encircle and weaken the enemy before soldiers are sent back in.

Smotrich added, “We demand a clear announcement that no area cleared of terrorists through the blood of our soldiers will ever be abandoned – not even as part of a hostage deal. It is not moral or logical to let the enemy regain control and then send our fighters to fall there again. That is not how wars are won.”