Right Wing Minister Urges Israeli PM To Destroy Hamas For Violating Ceasefire

The Israeli military saluted the four hostages' bodies returned some time ago. (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - Israel's far-right minister urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act to ensure Hamas was destroyed after the Palestinian militant group appeared to have handed over part of the body of the previously repatriated hostages, instead of the bodies of other hostages.

"The Hamas fact continues to play games and does not immediately hand over all the bodies of our victims, as evidence that the terror group is still standing," said National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, as reported by The Times of Israel, October 28.

"Now we don't have to collect the price from Hamas for the violation. We need to demand its existence, and destroy it completely, once forever in accordance with the main goals set for the Awakening War," he said.

"Mr. Prime Minister, it's quite hesitant. Give the order!" he added.

Meanwhile, in his letter to PM Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded a meeting urging the security cabinet to discuss "firm responses" to Hamas' violations of the first phase of the ceasefire, and further action to destroy the terror group.

"With the background of repeated Hamas violations of the terms of the ceasefire and the first phase of President Trump's plans, as well as the lack of progress in the demolition and demilitarization of Gaza, I ask you to immediately hold a meeting of today's security cabinets to discuss it in order to formulate a firm and firm response package, and to ensure our compliance with the main purpose of the war: the destruction of Hamas and the elimination of threats from Gaza against Israelis," Smotrich wrote.

"Hamas should not be allowed to mock Israelis and cruelly play around with the feelings of the families of the fallen hostages," he wrote.

As previously reported, Israel announced that the bodies Hamas returned on Monday were part of a body found in 2023, assessing Hamas violated the first phase of the ceasefire.

The body Hamas returned to Israel Monday night belongs to Ofir Tzarfati, whose body was found by the Israeli military (IDF) in the Gaza Strip in December 2023, less than two months after his kidnapping in the October 7 attack.

The Tzarfati family was told by military representatives that part of the remains of his body had been returned.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office stated in a statement that "this constitutes a marked violation of the agreement" by Hamas, as Hamas is obliged to return the bodies of 13 prisoners who are still detained in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a security assessment with top defense officials Tuesday afternoon local time to "discuss Israeli measures in response to the breach," the Prime Minister's Office added.