The Likud party released a statement aimed at National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, asserting that the “current agreement allows Israel to resume military action under American assurances.” This marked the first official acknowledgment of such a claim, following earlier references attributed only to an unnamed “political figure.”
In its statement, Likud addressed Ben-Gvir’s threat to temporarily exit the government coalition over the terms of the cease-fire and hostage release agreement. The party declared that “those who dismantle a right-wing government will go down in history as a global embarrassment.”
The statement proceeded to outline the rationale behind Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s decision to approve the deal. It highlighted key elements, including provisions for Israel to “acquire the weapons and military resources it requires, secure the release of the maximum number of live hostages, retain full control of the Philadelphi Corridor and the security perimeter surrounding Gaza, and achieve significant security outcomes to protect Israel’s future for generations.”
In response, Otzma Yehudit issued a counterstatement, expressing frustration with Likud. “We expect our partners in Likud to acknowledge the principled stance taken by Otzma Yehudit in opposing this reckless agreement. The deal jeopardizes Israel’s security, undermines the progress made during the war, and represents a complete victory for Hamas,” the statement read. It was also shared on the party’s social media platforms.
Otzma Yehudit’s statement continued, “This agreement violates every public commitment made by the prime minister to his coalition partners and to the Israeli public. It entails halting military operations, relinquishing control over the Philadelphi Corridor, abandoning the Netzarim Corridor, allowing terrorists to return to northern Gaza without adequate oversight, and freeing hundreds of murderers with Jewish blood on their hands.”
The party reiterated its broader stance, stating, “While we will remain supportive of the coalition and will not enable the left to topple the prime minister, we cannot remain part of a government that endorses such unethical agreements. We remind Likud that Otzma Yehudit opposed the ‘Gaza policy’ of appeasement long before October 7. Regrettably, our warnings have often proved accurate, and while we hope to be wrong this time, the risks are grave.”
The agreement stipulates that during the second phase, after 50 days, Israel will fully withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor. Additionally, the temporary cease-fire will persist as long as negotiations for the second phase are ongoing, with talks beginning on the 16th day of the initial phase. Mediators are committed to ensuring these negotiations proceed within the agreement’s framework. However, this raises concerns about Israel’s continued presence in the corridor if discussions drag on. The Trump administration could potentially pressure Israel to remain engaged in the talks.
A significant question looms over whether incoming President Donald Trump, who has exerted considerable pressure on both Hamas and Netanyahu to finalize a deal, will support Israel resuming military action after the first phase. Israeli sources indicate that Netanyahu has secured verbal assurances from Trump’s administration that the U.S. will back Israel if Hamas breaches the agreement. Yet, it remains uncertain whether Trump, after pledging in his victory speech to “end wars, not start them,” would approve military escalation in real time.
On Wednesday night, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to hint at a broader shift toward ending the conflict entirely. He pledged to collaborate with Israel and American allies to ensure Gaza “NEVER again becomes a terrorist haven.” Additionally, he emphasized his intention to expand the Abraham Accords, which facilitated Israel’s normalization agreements with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco during his previous term.
“We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region,” Trump wrote. “This cease-fire’s momentum will serve as a foundation to further advance the Historic Abraham Accords. This is just the beginning of remarkable achievements for America and, indeed, the entire world!”
{Matzav.com Israel}