Israeli government approves Gaza deal as Ben-Gvir threatens to topple Netanyahu

Israeli government ministers late Thursday approved the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and hostage release plan signed with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

An Israeli government spokesperson said earlier the ceasefire would go into force within 24 hours of the government meeting. After that 24-hour period, the hostages held in Gaza would be freed within 72 hours. The government meeting was due to follow a just completed meeting of the Israeli security cabinet.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned that his Jewish Power party would push to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government unless Hamas is ultimately dismantled.

“If the Hamas government is not dismantled, or if they only tell us that it is dismantled while in reality it continues to exist under a different guise – Jewish Power will dismantle the government,” Ben-Gvir said in a statement ahead of a Netanyahu cabinet meeting to approve a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release plan.