Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s insistence on blocking the release of certain Palestinian prisoners, including convicted terrorists, has reportedly led to a delay in the security cabinet meeting regarding the ceasefire agreement. According to the Kan public broadcaster, his objections also postponed the subsequent full cabinet session that was meant to approve the deal.
The security cabinet session concluded only recently, but the larger government meeting, initially planned for 6 p.m., was pushed back by more than three hours. The delay further stalled the expected ratification of the agreement that aims to secure the return of the 48 remaining hostages held by terrorist factions in Gaza — 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
Under the terms of the deal, Israel is set to release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, along with approximately 1,700 Gazans who were detained following the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023, which triggered the current war.
While Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has already declared his opposition to the agreement, Ben Gvir has not publicly revealed how he intends to vote. However, the Otzma Yehudit chairman has warned that he will withdraw his party from the coalition if Hamas “continues to exist” once the hostages are freed — a position consistent with his earlier walkout from the government during a previous ceasefire earlier this year.
