Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the resumption of military operations in Gaza, citing the return of all living Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The minister’s statement comes after Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire, resulting in several airstrikes on militant targets that killed at least 28 people, according to Reuters. Hamas has denied any breach of the truce, affirming its commitment to the agreement.
The release of the hostages was part of a ceasefire brokered under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan earlier this month. In exchange for the return of the Israeli captives, Palestinian prisoners were freed. The last 20 living hostages were released, and the remains of 12 others were returned last week. Hamas indicated that it had fulfilled its obligations but faced challenges in retrieving all the bodies due to the devastation in Gaza and continued Israeli control in some areas.
Ben-Gvir, known for his hard-line stance, emphasized that the truce with Hamas is not a permanent arrangement. He suggested that with the hostages safely returned, which was Israel’s primary demand, the country should now consider taking action against Hamas. The minister’s comments were made during a televised interview, where he urged immediate action against the group.
Ben-Gvir leads the right-wing Otzma Yehudit party, which is part of Israel’s governing coalition under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His background includes being a far-right activist and attorney who defended Jewish extremists. In 2007, he was convicted of incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organization, for which he received a suspended sentence and a fine.
US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, are scheduled to visit Israel to discuss the next phase of the US president’s ceasefire plan. Their visit aims to advance the peace process in the region, which has seen a fragile calm following the release of the hostages. The development is significant, as it indicates ongoing international efforts to stabilize the situation and find a lasting resolution to the conflict.