Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, announced on Sunday that he is working “tirelessly” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to promote the encouragement of Palestinian migration from Gaza. He added that he has begun to notice “a certain openness” from Netanyahu on the matter.
Ben-Gvir, who leads the far-right “Otzma Yehudit” (Jewish Power) party, made these remarks during an interview with Israel Army Radio.
In a veiled threat to withdraw from the government, Ben-Gvir stated, “The current deal will not return all the captives, and the Prime Minister does not want Otzma Yehudit to leave the government.”
He further elaborated, “I am working hard with the Prime Minister to advance the encouragement of migration from Gaza, and I have started to see a certain openness on his part.”
Netanyahu has not yet commented on Ben-Gvir’s statements.
Ben-Gvir went on to say, “Ideas such as settlements in Gaza are welcome. The only times we defeated our enemies were when we took lands from them. But that alone does not satisfy me; I also want to promote migration (from Gaza).”
Ben-Gvir is known for his hardline stances and incendiary rhetoric against Palestinians, which have sparked widespread controversy and criticism both within Israel and internationally.
Egyptian Efforts to Mediate
On October 25, an Egyptian military and security delegation in Cairo met with the head of Israel’s Mossad, David Barnea, and a delegation from the Shin Bet security service. According to Egyptian security sources, the discussions focused on ways to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.
The meeting, part of Egypt’s intensified diplomatic efforts, aimed to restart negotiations over a potential deal and to restore stability to the region, according to Cairo News Channel.
Stalemate in Prisoner Swap Negotiations
Negotiations for a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas have hit a roadblock due to Netanyahu’s insistence on maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border and the Rafah crossing. He also demands stringent inspections of returning Palestinian fighters at the Nitzarim checkpoint in central Gaza.
Hamas, on the other hand, insists on Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza and a complete cessation of military aggression before agreeing to any deal.
Israel estimates that 101 captives are currently held in Gaza, while Hamas has reported that dozens of captives were killed in random Israeli airstrikes.
The Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
Since October 7, 2023, with the support of the United States, Israel has been committing what many are calling a genocide in Gaza. Over 149,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured, the majority of them women and children. More than 11,000 individuals are missing, while the relentless bombardment has caused catastrophic destruction and widespread famine, claiming the lives of many children and the elderly.
