Breaking: Otzma Yehudit Party to Leave Government Over Hostage Deal

Itamar Ben Gvir, minister of National Security and head of the Otzma Yehudit party holds a press conference with party members at the Ministry of National Security in Jerusalem, January 16, 2025. ( Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The far-right Otzma Yehudit party has announced its withdrawal from Israel's governing coalition in protest of the recently approved hostage deal with Hamas.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and other party members will submit their formal resignations tomorrow morning, according to reporter Daphna Liel.

In their announcement, the party strongly criticized the agreement, calling it "reckless" and claiming it amounts to "surrendering to Hamas." They specifically objected to provisions that would release Palestinian prisoners to Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, withdraw IDF forces from certain areas in Gaza, and pause combat operations.

The resignation will include three cabinet ministers - Ben-Gvir, Wasserlauf, and Eliyahu - along with committee chairs MKs Fogel and Har-Melech, and MK Kroyzer.

This development marks a significant crisis for Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition government, as Otzma Yehudit has been a key coalition partner since the government's formation.