Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met over the weekend with members of his far-right governing coalition, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to address growing internal tensions surrounding a proposed 60-day ceasefire in Gaza being pushed by international mediators.
According to reports in Israeli media, Netanyahu assured Smotrich and other key ministers that any ceasefire agreement would be temporary and that Israel would resume its military operations in Gaza once the 60-day period ends. Netanyahu reportedly stated that following the truce, Israel would "transfer the population in the Strip southward and impose a siege [on northern Gaza]."
The comments align with what many observers believe is the ultimate goal of Netanyahu’s government—and the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump—namely, the eventual depopulation or forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
Smotrich, who heads the far-right Religious Zionism party, is a critical figure in Netanyahu’s fragile coalition. He previously threatened to exit the government in April 2024 over a similar truce proposal, which at the time led Netanyahu to abandon the deal. A similar scenario unfolded in January when Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir temporarily withdrew from the coalition following another ceasefire, only to return after Israel resumed its offensive.
Netanyahu’s government currently controls 67 seats in Israel’s 120-member Knesset—just six more than the 61 needed for a majority. The far-right ministers control 11 of those seats, making their support essential to the coalition’s survival. A coordinated withdrawal by them could collapse the government.
In January, Netanyahu narrowly avoided a coalition collapse when only six MPs defected, leaving the coalition with the bare minimum of 61 seats. Smotrich, despite threats, did not follow through at the time.
Beyond military concerns, Netanyahu also has personal stakes in remaining in power. His continued tenure as prime minister has delayed multiple criminal proceedings against him, including charges of bribery and corruption. A collapse of his coalition could lead to his removal from office and expose him to resumed legal jeopardy.