Israeli far-right minister Ben-Gvir vows to vote against Gaza deal

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his party have announced they plan to vote against an agreement on the first phase of a plan to end the Gaza conflict.

In a post on X Thursday evening, he wrote that the reason was “the release of thousands of terrorists, including 250 murderers who are expected to be freed from prisons. This is an unbearably heavy price.”

The Israeli government is expected to approve the deal on Thursday evening and a clear majority in favour of the agreement is expected.

In return for the release of the remaining hostages, Israel is to release around 250 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment from Israeli prisons. In addition, around 1,700 people imprisoned after October 7, 2023 are to be released.

Ben-Gvir also repeated his threat to quit the government if Hamas retained influence in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured him this will not happen.

The plan foresees Gaza being administered by a transitional government of Palestinian technocrats under international supervision once the war ends.

Hamas has signalled its acceptance of the proposal, though it has not clarified whether it agrees to the demand that it play no role in Gaza’s governance. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has likewise said his party will oppose the agreement.