Israeli Minister Threatens To Overthrow Netanyahu If Canceled Attacking Rafah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu/PHOTO via Instagram @b.netanyahu

JAKARTA - Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to withdraw support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government if Israel's aggression against the Gaza Strip ends without an attack on Rafah City.

"If the prime minister decides to end the war without attacking Rafah to beat Hamas, he will no longer have a mandate to continue his leadership as prime minister," he said on platform X.

The threat was conveyed by Ben-Gvir after new developments emerged in Israel's indirect negotiations with Hamas to reach an agreement on the exchange of hostages and a ceasefire.

Despite international condemnation of the humanitarian situation in Palestine, Netanyahu continues to maintain his intention to attack Rafah City.

In fact, more than 1.5 million Palestinians fled the city, which is located in the Gazaselatan Strip.

Netanyahu currently rules Israel with the support of 64 of the 120 members of Knesset, the Israeli parliament.

Netanyahu's leadership comes from the Likud Party which is supported by five other political parties, including two extreme right-handed parties led by Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who owns 13 MPs.

To become a majority force, the Israeli government needs the support of at least 61 lawmakers.

Israel's aggression to the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, caused massive infrastructure damage, and caused major famine in the Palestinian enclave.