Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will reportedly meet on Monday with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to discuss the details of the ceasefire proposal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday.
Ben-Gvir, together with Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, threatened on Saturday to exit the coalition if Netanyahu agreed to a deal under the terms made public on Friday.
Israel Hayom quoted sources in Netanyahu’s office as saying that the premier intends to show Ben-Gvir the full draft of the proposal, which contrary to Biden’s remarks contains no clause requiring Israel to end the war.
Biden on Friday outlined a three-stage proposal, described by him as an Israeli plan, which includes a permanent end to hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Following Biden’s speech, Ben-Gvir tweeted, “Agreeing to such a deal is not absolute victory—but absolute defeat. We will not allow the end of the war without the complete elimination of Hamas.”
The deal on the table means Israel ending the war without achieving its war aim of destroying Hamas, he continued. Agreeing to such a deal would mean accepting defeat and surrendering to the terrorist organization, he added.