In recent statements amid ongoing negotiations with Hamas, Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued a stern warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the proposed cancellation of the Rafah operation, which has faced substantial international opposition.
Smotrich characterized the potential agreement to the Egyptian-mediated deal as "a humiliating surrender" and likened it to granting a victory to enemies, akin to Nazis. He expressed concerns that the deal would not only dishonor the sacrifices of IDF soldiers but also endanger the lives of hostages not included in the negotiations, posing an existential threat to Israel.
Smotrich (Israel Treasury monster) to Bibi: โIf you cancel the order to take down Rafah, the government will not have any right to exist.โ
โ Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) April 28, 2024
Smotrich further emphasized the importance of continuing the mission to dismantle Hamas, enhance security for southern Israel, and ensure the return of all hostages. He starkly cautioned that acquiescence by Netanyahu would delegitimize his governmentโs authority.
Conversely, opposition leader Yair Lapid voiced readiness to support the government in securing the hostages' return. Lapid urged Netanyahu on social media to prioritize the deal, suggesting he has both public and Knesset support and proposing the dismissal of Smotrich and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir if necessary.
ืกืืืืจืืฅืณ ืืืืื ืขื ื ืชื ืืื: ืดืื ืชืืื ืืช ืืคืงืืื ืืืืืืฉ ืจืคืื ืืื ืืืืฉืื ืืจืืฉืืชื ืืืืช ืงืืืืด @Shiritc pic.twitter.com/grNlv98WkG
โ ืืฉืจืื ืืืื (@IsraelHayomHeb) April 28, 2024
In addition to these developments, an Israeli source disclosed to i24NEWS that the Israeli delegation had proposed substantial concessions to Hamas, with an expectation of a response within 48 hours.
Earlier, Smotrich had also addressed threats to Israel's international standing, warning of repercussions for the Palestinian Authority (PA) if it continued to seek international recognition and issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials involved in the Gaza conflict. He threatened to halt financial transfers to the PA in retaliation.
