Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been walking a tightrope since voting against the hostage deal in the fateful government meeting on Friday night, January 17. He negotiated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in order to receive guarantees that the deal would not prevent Israel from completing its other war goals – destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and ensuring that Gaza would no longer pose a security threat to Israel.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has withdrawn a threat to quit the government if Israel does not return to fighting in Gaza, several Israeli news sites reported on Monday. Earlier this month,

Recruiting currently exempt ultra-Orthodox men is 'an existential national security necessity,' minister declares; Haredi party members seek to downplay threat to tank coalition The post After Shas ultimatum,

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And yet Israel’s ultranationalists have been able to take advantage of the changing political landscape in Israel over the past few decades and the fragile multiparty system to wield disproportionate power over a government that has depended on their support to stay afloat.

Far-right minister says he 'received a commitment' that there would be a gradual Israeli takeover of enclave, despite ceasefire deal

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Israel's Tax Authority, acting on instructions from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, revokes Amnesty International's tax benefit due to organization's anti-Israel activities, support for BDS.

The first stage of a cease-fire deal between Hamas and the Israeli government has gone into effect, but there is still no guarantee the remaining phases of the deal will be completed, leading to a permanent cease-fire.

Egypt and Jordan have both rejected the suggestion by US President Donald Trump that Gaza should be “cleaned out” and what remains of its pre-war population of 2.3 million moved to the two neighbouring countries.