Itamar Ben-Gvir and Otzma Yehudit Ministers Resign Over Ceasefire Deal with Hamas

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with members of his Otzma Yehudit party, resigned from their government positions on Sunday in response to the approval of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The party had previously threatened to resign if the agreement, which included the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, was ratified.

The Otzma Yehudit party denounced the deal as a "reckless surrender," accusing the government of forfeiting the achievements of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The party expressed its opposition to the deal, criticizing the release of individuals they referred to as "murderers" with "the blood of men, women, and children on their hands." The ministers specifically rejected the idea of withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza, deeming it a concession to Hamas.

In his own resignation letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir expressed his respect for the prime minister and acknowledged the government's accomplishments but reiterated his opposition to the ceasefire deal. Alongside Ben-Gvir, other Otzma Yehudit ministers Yizhak Wasserlauf (Negev and Galilee) and Amichai Eliyahu (Heritage) also submitted their resignation letters, which will take effect in 48 hours.

Ben-Gvir has been vocal about his opposition to the ceasefire deal, claiming that it would undo the victories achieved in the war against Hamas and pave the way for further concessions. This move follows similar threats from other ministers, including Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party, who had also warned of resignations if a permanent ceasefire was agreed upon.

The resignation of the Otzma Yehudit ministers will lead to a reshuffling of the government and Knesset positions. It is expected that ministers from Likud will take over the vacated ministries. Furthermore, the resignation of Eliyahu from the Knesset will trigger his return to the legislative body under the Norwegian Law, which allows ministers to resign their parliamentary seats temporarily.

The move has created a political stir, with speculation regarding potential changes in the balance of power within the coalition, especially as other ministers from the Religious Zionist Party and Likud also reassess their positions in light of the ongoing ceasefire agreement.