Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced that his far-right Otzma Yehudit party will oppose the government’s proposed ceasefire and hostage-release deal with Hamas.

According to the Times of Israel, Ben Gvir called the agreement a “surrender to terror,” arguing that it would allow Hamas to regroup and continue threatening Israel.

The deal, approved by Israel’s cabinet late Thursday, aims to halt fighting in Gaza temporarily in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also voiced opposition, saying he could not support any agreement that “rewards terrorism.”

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, has announced that his Otzma Yehudit party will vote against the first phase of the newly announced ceasefire deal, under which 48 Israeli hostages held in Gaza are to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

While Ben Gvir’s faction will remain part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition for now, he warned that his party would “bring down the government” if Hamas’s rule in Gaza is not completely dismantled.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who leads the Religious Zionism party, also declared his opposition to the deal.

The Israeli cabinet is currently meeting to approve the agreement after a three-hour delay caused by Ben Gvir’s objections regarding the list of 250 Palestinian security prisoners, many of whom are serving life sentences.

In a statement, Ben Gvir said his party shared the public’s joy over the expected return of all hostages but could not overlook what he called “the heavy price” of freeing hundreds of convicted terrorists.

“We cannot support a deal that releases those murderous terrorists,” he said. “Otzma Yehudit will oppose it within the government.”

Ben Gvir added that he had sought assurances from Netanyahu that Hamas’s control in Gaza would end, saying:

“If Hamas’s rule is not dismantled or continues to exist under another name, Otzma Yehudit will withdraw from the coalition.”

Analysts warn that if Ben Gvir and Smotrich were to leave the 60-member coalition, the government would be reduced to just 47 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, which would likely trigger new elections.

However, opposition parties have indicated they would provide Netanyahu a temporary “safety net” to keep the government afloat, provided it continues to advance the Trump-brokered Gaza deal.