Smotrich poised to leave government if hostage deal lacks ‘voluntary emigration’ measures

According to Channel 12, Smotrich told the premier: "I will not remain in the government for another day if we do not return to fight until victory. Anyone who takes hostages deserves to die, and immediately after [the hostages'] release, we must go back and destroy them [Hamas]."

Another meeting between Netanyahu and Smotrich was scheduled for Wednesday.

The publication of Smotrich’s ultimatum comes after he issued a video statement in the morning after hours of consultations regarding the proposed deal.

While he did not directly address his far-right ally Itamar Ben-Gvir's call for their joint resignation, Smotrich emphasized his focus on defeating the Gaza-based terrorist group and bringing home all hostges immediately.

"We are at a decisive and fateful moment for the security, future, and existence of the State of Israel. What stands before me is one thing only, and I approach it with awe and reverence: how to achieve the full objectives of the war—total victory, the complete destruction of Hamas both militarily and civically, and the return of all our captives," he said.

The Religious Zionism Party, which holds seven seats in Netanyahu’s 68-member governing coalition, slammed the “surrender deal” on Monday as a “catastrophe” for the Jewish state.

“We will not be part of a surrender deal that includes the release of arch-terrorists, halting the war, undermining the achievements that were secured with many lives lost and abandoning numerous hostages,” stated Smotrich.

Ben-Gvir, whose Otzma Yehudit Party occupies six seats in the coalition, has called on Smotrich and other lawmakers to join him in leaving the government if it approves the ceasefire with Hamas.

“In the current composition of the government, Otzma Yehudit cannot prevent the deal, and our withdrawal alone will not prevent it from being implemented,” the national security minister stated on Tuesday.

Ben-Gvir added that “even if we are in the opposition, we will not bring down Netanyahu, but this move is our only chance to prevent its implementation and to prevent the surrender of the State of Israel.”

It comes after Ben-Gvir claimed credit for blocking multiple potential deals since last summer, prompting outrage from hostage families and opposition party.

But seven members of Netanyahu’s own Likud Party also came out against the terms of the emerging deal on Monday, per Kan News.

A letter signed by the group claimed that the agreement would “cross basic moral lines” and “endanger the security of Israel”

Hamas has reportedly accepted a final version of the deal, which will involve phased hostage releases in return for Palestinian prisoners and a ceasefire leading into further negotiations.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has claimed that the two side are “on the brink” of finalising an agreement, but warned that it was still not a certainty.