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Israel’s Smotrich slams ceasefire deal with Hamas, calls for opening ‘gates of hell’ on Gaza

January 14, 2025 at 2:52 pm

Bezalel Smotrich, Israels finance minister, speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem, Israel on 11 January 2023 [Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg via Getty Images]

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich yesterday announced his opposition to a potential prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, calling for opening “the gates of hell” on the enclave, Anadolu reported.

The emerging deal is a “catastrophe for Israel’s national security,” Smotrich, the leader of the Religious Zionism Party, said on his X account.

The extremist minister, however, did not threaten to leave the government if the deal was approved.

“This is the time to continue with all our might, to occupy and cleanse the entire Strip, to finally take control of humanitarian aid from Hamas, and to open the gates of hell on Gaza until Hamas surrenders completely and all the hostages are returned,” he said.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Smotrich to try to persuade him to support the deal, according to the public broadcaster KAN.

Smotrich has repeatedly expressed his opposition to any agreement with Palestinians and previously threatened to withdraw from the government if a deal is signed.

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