Ben-Gvir to Netanyahu: Give Hamas an ultimatum if it continues to delay hostage return

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented, “Only military pressure brings back hostages.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening to issue a clear ultimatum to Hamas after it did not release all deceased hostages on time and in accordance with the US-brokered agreement on Tuesday evening.

“If you do not immediately return all the bodies of our fallen and continue to delay, we will immediately halt all aid supplies entering the Strip,” Ben-Gvir suggested for the ultimatum.

“The fact that Hamas allows itself to continue playing games and to delay the return of the bodies of our fallen indicates that the terrorist organization is still alive and active, and that the mission to destroy it has not yet been achieved, and must be achieved as soon as possible, as part of the war’s objectives,” he said.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented, “Only military pressure brings back hostages.”

Hamas said it would return the remains of four more Israeli hostages at 10 p.m. Tuesday, and Israeli officials expect the terror organization to return another four on Wednesday.

Punitive measures against Hamas

The political echelon decided to sanction Hamas after failing to deliver the remains of hostages it had promised to deliver during negotiations just before the terror group’s announcement.

As part of the response to Hamas’s refusal to release the remains, the Rafah Crossing will not open on Wednesday, and humanitarian aid will be dramatically reduced. Three Israeli officials confirmed the decision to Reuters.

The defense establishment’s recommendation was accepted by the prime minister at the last minute, according to several sources.

Hamas released just four killed hostages out of 28 on Monday.

Amichai Stein contributed to this report.

This is a developing story.