Netanyahu denies request for security cabinet vote on partial hostage deal, says 'partial deal not relevant’

The Israeli cabinet meeting on Sunday was long and stormy, according to reports in Hebrew media. 

The meeting, which was held in a secure location on the recommendation of Shin Bet and the IDF, lasted around six hours, running into the early hours of Monday morning. 

During the meeting, the IDF presented its plan for the takeover of Gaza City in Operation Gideon’s Chariot’s II. As part of that discussion, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was reported to have informed the cabinet that the government’s plan would require a “military government.” 

“Let it be clear that we are going to a military government,” Zamir was reported by Maariv to have told the ministers. “You are voting for a military government.” 

When this comment led to some debate within the cabinet, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir reportedly answered, “Instead of a military government, voluntary emigration could be encouraged.” 

Zamir reportedly continued to press for the ministers to reconsider, citing the risk to the hostages. 

Zamir was reported to have told the ministers, “There is an outline on the table and it must be taken.” 

In response, Channel 14 reported that Ben Gvir remarked, “We understood the significance, the deal and the withdrawal of the soldiers and their return will endanger them [the soldiers]. Therefore, we must return to intense fighting, crushing, and encouraging emigration.” 

The cabinet did not vote on the IDF’s plans for the Gaza City takeover, as it had previously authorized Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz to approve the plans, which they did two weeks ago. 

According to the reports in various outlets, Ben Gvir also proposed that the cabinet hold a vote on the issue of a partial hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas, in order to defeat the idea. Various reports said that Zamir, along with several cabinet ministers pushed for a vote on the recent Egyptian proposal, which Hamas claims it agreed to. That deal would have seen 10 living and 18 deceased hostages released in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners, and almost 1,000 detained Palestinians. 

“I propose that we vote - who here is in favor of a partial deal and who is against?” Ben Gvir was reported to have said. “We will remove it from the agenda once and for all.” 

However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shot down the request, reportedly saying, “The vote is not relevant. It is not on the agenda. The goal now is to collapse Hamas.” 

Netanyahu also claimed that the U.S. is not in favor of a partial deal. 

“Trump said to leave the partial deals and said, 'Go in with all your strength and finish with it,'" Netanyahu told the cabinet meeting, according to Channel 12 News.  

Channel 14 News, however, reported that Netanyahu did not completely close the door on the possibility of a partial deal. It cited “cabinet sources” who said Netanyahu may be trying to leave room for a reversal, if Hamas offers to release a larger number of hostages.