SMOTRICH DECIDED to remain in the government after becoming convinced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was committed to removing Hamas as a governing power in Gaza, he says. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)Negotiations over Phase 2 of the deal are scheduled to officially begin on Monday,

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the risks of the hostage deal and called to adopt President Trump's proposal to move Gazans to another country.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has withdrawn a threat to quit the government if Israel does not return to fighting in Gaza, several Israeli news sites reported on Monday.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatens to dismantle the government if it proceeds with the second phase of the ceasefire deal.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday floated the idea that Jordan and Egypt should take more Palestinians from Gaza, where Israel's military actions have killed tens of thousands and created a dire humanitarian situation.

The finance minister accused Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi of having an aversion to anything sacking of military "occupation."

Israel accused Hamas of violating a fragile ceasefire by changing the order of hostages it has released, stopping thousands of Palestinians from returning to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip on

Finance minister said to convene with bereaved families, relatives of hostages, and strategists to formulate pressure tactics for stopping ceasefire-hostage deal after 1st stage

Minister of Finance and Cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich congratulated Chief ... with the progress in signing the hostage deal with Hamas, Smotrich submitted a list of demands to Prime Minister ...

By Mick Krever and Kareem Khadder, CNN Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Khan Younis (CNN) — Chaotic scenes surrounding the release of Israeli and Thai hostages in Gaza on Thursday brought condemnation from Israeli leaders and a temporary delay in the release of Palestinian prisoners,

The first stage of a cease-fire deal between Hamas and the Israeli government has gone into effect, but there is still no guarantee the remaining phases of the deal will be completed, leading to a permanent cease-fire.