Two Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have threatened to resign from the coalition government over a proposed cease-fire agreement outlined by President Biden. The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has been ongoing for nearly eight months, with the latest round of violence starting after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in approximately 250 hostages being taken.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, freeing all hostages, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Opposition leader Yair Lapid expressed his support for the hostage proposal if Ben-Gvir and Smotrich leave the government.
The fighting has continued in Rafah, with over 36,439 people killed and 82,627 injured in Gaza since the war began. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack and approximately 293 soldiers have been killed since the military operation in Gaza.
Hamas views Biden's proposal positively and is ready for a permanent cease-fire, complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, return of displaced residents, and a significant prisoner exchange deal. However, far-right members of Netanyahu's coalition threatened to quit the government if the deal goes through.
More than 100,000 Israelis protested in Tel Aviv for the U.S.-brokered deal to return Hamas-held hostages and end the war in Gaza. The proposed deal includes a halt of fighting for six weeks, hostage swap, significant aid shipments into Gaza, and destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities for a permanent cease-fire.
Critics portray Netanyahu as indecisive and see two different versions of him: one who functions pragmatically in the war cabinet, and another held hostage by far-right coalition members who oppose any concession to Hamas. The survival of the government is at stake as Netanyahu faces a stark choice between implementing the cease-fire proposal and maintaining his hard-line, hawkish government.