Hardline Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir threatens to quit government if fighting against Gaza stops

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to resign from the government if fighting does not resume following the end of the four-day humanitarian pause announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Ben-Gvir made the statement to the right-wing Channel 14 on Wednesday, commenting on the Israeli government's approval of the humanitarian pause, which he rejected.

He said he heard from Netanyahu that fighting would resume after the four-day pause, but if fighting ceased, "we will have nothing to do in this government."

Following the announcement of the humanitarian pause, Netanyahu vowed to continue the war on Gaza until Israel's goals were met, including the release of all Israeli captives in Gaza and the elimination of the Palestinian group Hamas.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on a four-day humanitarian pause, with the start date to be announced within 24 hours.

According to the Qatar-mediated agreement, the deal would include a four-day cease-fire, the entry of 300 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including fuel, into Gaza, and the release of 50 Israelis held by Hamas in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.

The agreement also allows for the extension of the pause and the potential release of additional children and women held by the two sides.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

Authorities in Gaza said Tuesday that the death toll from Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave has since risen past 14,500, including more than 5,800 children and 3,900 women. The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar