Itamar Ben-Gvir calls for "massive fire attack" on Gaza after Hamas refuses hostage release 

Former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reacted harshly to Hamas' announcement that it was stopping the release of the hostages.

He stated: "Hamas' announcement must have only one answer in reality: a massive fire attack on Gaza, from the air and on the ground, alongside a complete halt to humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, including electricity, fuel and water, including the bombing of aid packages that have already been brought in and are in the hands of Hamas in Gaza. We must go back to war and destroy!"

Ben-Gvir resigned from the government following the hostage deal, which he claimed came at too high a price from the government - the release of thousands of terrorists with blood on their hands.

Ben-Gvir supported continuing the war in Gaza and said that when Israel returns to fighting in Gaza, he would return to the government. Ben-Gvir recently announced that he could return to the government due to President Trump's far-reaching proposal: the emigration of Gazans from Gaza Strip and American control over the Strip.

According to Yaniv Cozin of Galei Tsahal, "this will be a test of the Qatari and Egyptian mediation mechanism. They have succeeded in dismantling such mines in the past, and we will see now, with the pressure from the American administration on their heads, whether they will have the same will and ability. Israel has no leverage left after the exit from the Netzarim Corridor and the opening of the Rafah crossing, except of course for the threat to return to war.