Minister Ben-Gvir during the announcement
Minister Ben-Gvir during the announcementYonatan Sindel/Flash90

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced on Thursday that if the hostage deal with Hamas is approved by the Cabinet, he and his party will resign from the government.

"The deal that is being formed is reckless," Ben-Gvir opened.

"When you see the jubilation of the Hamas supporter (MK) Ayman Odeh, the dancing in Gaza, and the celebrations in the villages of Judea and Samaria - you understand which side is surrendering in this deal. Therefore, if this reckless deal is approved and implemented, the Otzma Yehudit party will not be part of the government and will leave it," the Minister declared.

He added: "I call on the members of the Religious Zionist party as well as the idealistic MKs in the Likud to act similarly, and together with us to prevent the implementation of this reckless surrender deal."

According to him, "If the war with Hamas is renewed with intensity for the purpose of victory and the fulfillment of the war's goals that were not fulfilled, we will return to the government."

He stressed that his party will not topple the government. "Even now, we call on the Prime Minister to come to his senses, to avoid this terrible deal, and to take these steps which would lead to the defeat of Hamas and the release of the hostages without surrendering to it. If he doesn't do so, as I said, Otzma Yehudit will not topple Netanyahu and will not work with the left and its goals against Netanyahu, but it could not be part of a government that approves a deal that is a great prize for Hamas, and could bring us the next October 7th."

Later in the evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Religious Zionist Party chairman Minister Bezalele Smotrich.

The two will discuss Smotrich's demand to renew the war after the deal is completed, as well as to significantly change the way it is being handled, including stopping humanitarian aid.

Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amihai Chikli announced on Thursday that he will also resign from the government if Israel will have to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor on the Egypt-Gaza border as part of the deal.