Israel minister vows to oppose any prisoner exchange deal that ends the war

Israel’s far-right Heritage Minister, Amihai Eliyahu, has signalled opposition to any prisoner exchange agreement with Palestinian factions that includes a ceasefire in Gaza, local media has reported.

Channel 12 quoted Eliyahu, from the Otzma Yehudit Party, as saying: “We will oppose the prisoner exchange deal if we believe it will lead to the end of the war, regardless of what is written in the agreement.”

His far-right party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has consistently stated its opposition to any agreement that would result in a ceasefire in the war on Gaza. The party supports the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the establishment of Jewish-only settlements there.

Eliyahu’s position was made public as Israel’s Cabinet convened yesterday to discuss Hamas’s response to a ceasefire proposal.

Israeli media reports suggest that Hamas’s response could be a basis for resuming negotiations, but leaks from the Prime Minister’s Office are less optimistic.

The families of Israeli prisoners of war held in Gaza held protests yesterday to demand their return.

Read: Israel’s Ben-Gvir threatens again to topple government over Gaza ceasefire proposal