National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Friday that the proposed Peace Council agreement is unacceptable, stressing that targeted killings of Hamas operatives must continue, Palestinian emigration must be encouraged, and Israel must achieve victory. Ben-Gvir warned that a commitment to halt eliminations would allow Hamas to reorganize for another massacre.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir issued a statement earlier today (Friday, 16:19 Jerusalem) rejecting the draft agreement proposed by the Peace Council and laying out three non-negotiable demands: continued targeted killings of Hamas operatives, encouragement of Palestinian emigration, and an Israeli victory declaration. The statement represents a hardening of his position compared to his remarks earlier this week, and comes as negotiations advance on a framework that, according to The Zioneer's analysis, would include a halt to Israeli targeted killings.
This is the latest in a series of statements from Ben-Gvir today. At 16:19 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported his initial rejection of the draft, followed by a statement slamming anonymous 'political source' briefings, and then a third statement arguing the deal would allow Hamas to reorganize. The emigration call, detailed in the first statement, adds a new dimension to his demands. On July 30, The Zioneer reported Ben-Gvir's declaration that Israel should not commit to halting eliminations or signing agreements with Hamas, a position he has now expanded.
Ben-Gvir's stance aligns with his consistent opposition to any agreement that limits Israeli operations. The Zioneer has reported that the emerging deal would halt targeted killings of October 7 perpetrators and roll back the IDF's buffer zone. As The Zioneer noted in a July 30 analysis, Hamas's core demands include a halt to eliminations. The Zioneer has also reported on ongoing targeted killings of Hamas commanders, including the recent elimination of a Nukhba commander who led the Kisufim infiltration, indicating that Israel continues counter-terror operations despite the ceasefire framework.
The exact terms of the deal have not been officially published, and it remains unclear whether Ben-Gvir's hardline position will influence the coalition's negotiating stance. The negotiations are ongoing.
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