Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday the emerging Gaza agreement is bad for Israel and for the entire world, vowing to continue the campaign to topple the Hamas regime by 'creative ways' — escalating his opposition as coalition tensions mount over a deal the government is reportedly close to signing, according to Amichai Stein (i24NEWS).
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued his sharpest condemnation yet of the emerging Gaza agreement on Monday morning, calling it 'bad for Israel and for the entire world' and vowing that opponents would have to continue the campaign to topple the Hamas regime 'by ourselves and in creative ways.' The remarks, reported by Amichai Stein (i24NEWS) at 10:39 Jerusalem, come as the government edges closer to finalizing a framework that has divided the coalition.
This follows a similar statement earlier Monday — as The Zioneer reported at 10:35 — in which Smotrich said the agreement was 'bad for Israel' without elaborating. The later, more detailed version clarifies that he intends active, unilateral opposition rather than mere protest. Smotrich did not specify what 'creative ways' entails, and no other coalition figure has backed his approach publicly.
The statement deepens a rift visible in recent days: Prime Minister Netanyahu has signaled readiness to move forward with the deal, while Smotrich and other far-right coalition partners demand the war continue until Hamas is fully dismantled. What remains unconfirmed is whether Smotrich will attempt to block the agreement in cabinet or the Knesset, or whether 'creative ways' signals extra-parliamentary action.
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