Israel’s national security minister says stopping Gaza war means dissolving government

By Zain Khalil

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Israel’s hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened late Tuesday to dissolve the government if the war stopped in the Gaza Strip.

“Stopping the war = dissolution of the government,” Ben-Gvir said on X.

His remarks coincided with reports of efforts to extend the humanitarian pause in fighting between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Qatar announced an agreement late Monday to extend the initial four-day pause for an additional two days, under which further prisoner exchanges will be carried out.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed over 15,000 people, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat