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. His statement follows Israel’s accusation that Hamas violated the ceasefire, prompting several airstrikes on militant targets that killed at least 28 people, according to Reuters. Hamas denied any breach of the truce and affirmed its commitment to the agreement.
The hostages were released as part of a ceasefire brokered under U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan earlier this month. In exchange for 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 said it had fulfilled its obligations but faced difficulties retrieving all the bodies because of 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 argued that, with the hostages safely returned—Israel’s primary demand—the country should now consider taking action against Hamas. He made these comments during a televised interview, urging immediate action against the group.
Ben‑Gvir leads the right‑wing Otzma Yehudit party, which is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. A former far‑right activist and attorney who defended Jewish extremists, he was convicted in 2007 of incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organization, receiving a suspended sentence and a fine.
U.S. 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 president’s ceasefire plan. Their visit aims to advance the peace process in a region that has experienced a fragile calm since the hostages’ release, highlighting ongoing international efforts to stabilize the situation and seek a lasting resolution to the conflict.
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