Fri Jan 17 17:55:40 UTC 2025: ## Netanyahu Faces Backlash as Gaza Ceasefire Deal Looms
**JERUSALEM** – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is poised to approve a ceasefire in Gaza, ending over a year of conflict, but faces a significant political challenge. The deal, involving prisoner exchanges and an Israeli withdrawal, is set to begin Sunday. However, it has sparked fierce opposition within Netanyahu’s own government.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a staunch opponent of prisoner releases, has called the deal “terrible” and threatened to resign along with his party if it’s implemented. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, while initially willing to accept the first phase of the release, has also threatened to withdraw his support unless the war continues beyond the initial prisoner exchange.
Despite these threats, Netanyahu appears determined to proceed, potentially aided by pressure from incoming US President-elect Donald Trump, who reportedly wants the conflict resolved before his inauguration. Experts suggest this move could be strategically advantageous for Netanyahu, allowing him greater freedom to pursue other policies in the West Bank.
While Netanyahu’s far-right allies are crucial to his coalition, he enjoys support from other factions, including the ultra-Orthodox bloc, and even some opposition parties are willing to help ensure the deal’s passage. Analysts suggest public weariness with the prolonged war, coupled with a sense of achieving strategic goals, may also contribute to the deal’s acceptance.
However, the war has exacted a heavy toll. The death toll in Gaza exceeds 46,700 Palestinians, and the conflict has significantly strained Israel’s international standing. Some experts warn of long-term consequences, including a possible erosion of Israeli society’s moral compass and concerns about the country’s future stability. The long-term effects on Israeli society and the future of the region remain uncertain.
First Piper 