Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been walking a tightrope since voting against the hostage deal in the fateful government meeting on Friday night, January 17. He negotiated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in order to receive guarantees that the deal would not prevent Israel from completing its other war goals – destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities,

Asharq Al Awsat Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said that he decided to remain in the government after becoming convinced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the new Trump administration were committed to removing Hamas as a governing power from Gaza,

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Jerusalem: Israel's far-right finance minister has threatened to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition if he doesn't resume the war in Gaza after the first phase of the ceasefire expires in six weeks.

The prime minister’s Likud Party reportedly tried to persuade MK Zvika Fogel to split from Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit.

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SMOTRICH DECIDED to remain in the government after becoming convinced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was committed to removing Hamas as a governing power in Gaza, he says. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)Negotiations over Phase 2 of the deal are scheduled to officially begin on Monday,

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is in a delicate position between his coalition and U.S. President Trump, who is pushing for a Gaza ceasefire. The ceasefire's first phase is underway, but pressure mounts from far-right allies for resumed conflict.

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's far-right finance minister ... Smotrich criticised the ceasefire deal which was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet on Friday.

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that he is collaborating with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on an action plan to implement US President Donald Trump's plan for resettling Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan.

JERUSALEM – Even before it was signed, the Gaza ceasefire forced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ... on Jan 19 and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he will stay in government ...