Israel's Internal Situation Heating Up: Netanyahu's Deal with Hamas in Jeopardy

Thea Fathanah Arbar, CNBC Indonesia

Thursday, 11/23/2023 13:25 WIB

Photo: Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu walks at his party headquarters during the Israeli general election in Jerusalem, November 2, 2022. (REUTERS/RONEN ZVULUN)

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Israel’s internal situation is heating up. The reason is that Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition partner did not accept the decision to cease fire with Hamas in Gaza.

Three ministers, all from the right-wing Jewish Power party led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, opposed the deal. Meanwhile, members of the equally hardline Religious Zionist Party were persuaded to support him after a heated debate at an Israeli cabinet meeting on Tuesday (21/11/2023) evening.

The deal reached with Hamas was that 50 women and children held hostage in Gaza would be released in exchange for a four-day ceasefire and the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israel, with the possible release of more from each side.

The deal comes after weeks of Netanyahu vocally opposing an end to Israel’s military offensive against Hamas in Gaza, while there has also been mounting political pressure on the prime minister, who has seen his voter support collapse since the October 7 massacre by Hamas.

Amid warning signs for Netanyahu, who relies on support from right-wing parties to stay in power, Ben-Gvir sharply criticized the deal on Wednesday.

“We have no right to agree to their separation and only some of them returning,” he was quoted as saying The Guardian.

“And we clearly cannot accept the outline that states the release of female terrorists and minors if we do not succeed in getting everyone back,” he added, adding that the ceasefire would only benefit Hamas.

Leaks from the cabinet meeting show that Ben-Gvir also said that the decision to back the deal threatened “generational damage that will cost us dearly”.

But support from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the Religious Zionist Party represents a victory for Netanyahu and his senior allies.

Support for the deal appears to be growing stronger as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and senior officials in the Israel Defense Forces, as well as the domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet, support the deal, even if it means slowing the pace of attacks.

“Ministers of the Religious Zionist Party are convinced that this is an appropriate achievement and advances the war’s objectives and will not harm them,” the party said in a statement after the vote.

“This is a low-price deal which is a result of the pressure put on [pemimpin Hamas Yahya] Sinwar, a deal that will free many women and children, and a move that is time-limited and includes clear mechanisms to prevent erosion. Soon after, the war will continue until Hamas is destroyed.”

Talks around a ceasefire in return for the release of hostages have demonstrated efforts by Netanyahu and his cabinet to balance Israel’s two competing internal camps.

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