Smotrich condemns surrender deal and insists on defeating Hamas

Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has denounced a deal being worked out in Qatar to end the fighting in Gaza and return hostages as a “surrender” deal. “The proposed agreement is a catastrophe for Israel’s national security,” Mr Smotrich said on X. “We will not be part of a surrender deal that involves releasing dangerous terrorists, halting the war, squandering the hard-won achievements paid for in blood, and abandoning many hostages still in captivity.