Israeli ministers threaten to topple Netanyahu over truce talks
6:02 AM EDT, April 28, 2024
Hard-right Israeli ministers have warned they will not agree to a ceasefire in the conflict with Hamas in exchange for the release of hostages. They assert if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halts the offensive in Rafah, they will bring down the government, as reported by the Times of Israel website on Sunday.
During a security council meeting, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir threatened to topple the government if an attack on Rafah did not take place. Rafah, located at the southernmost tip of the Gaza Strip, is considered the last stronghold of Hamas.
On Friday, Smotrich commented on the negotiations for a potential truce with Hamas. He posted on the service X:
"Mr. Prime Minister, let it be absolutely clear - you have no mandate for this! Surrendering to the Nazis goes against the core principles of our government," wrote the Israeli finance minister.
"One Last Chance"
Before these developments, Israel announced it was giving "one last chance" to the negotiations being held under Egypt's auspices before potentially striking Rafah. The Times of Israel notes that the international community, including the United States, strongly opposes an attack on the city. The US has been urging Israel for months to forgo a ground offensive in Rafah in favour of a more constrained military approach.
The planned invasion carries the risk of a humanitarian disaster. Rafah serves as a haven for about one million Palestinians who have fled from other areas of Gaza. Moreover, a significant portion of humanitarian aid enters the region through its border crossing with Egypt.
Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on April 7 that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are set to launch an offensive in Rafah, a date has already been set. However, it now appears the invasion's fate, or its postponement, will be determined by the outcome of the ceasefire negotiations, the portal evaluates.
