Israeli Ministers Demand Gaza Offensive Continues, Reject Trump Peace Plan

Several Israeli ministers are pushing for the continuation of military operations in Gaza, explicitly rejecting the second phase of a U.S. President Donald Trump-backed ceasefire plan. The call emerged during a meeting of Israel's Security Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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If Israel does not launch an offensive within two weeks, it will mean that (Israel) accepts the roadmap.

Ministers Ze'ev Elkin, Bezalel Smotrich, Orit Strock, and Avi Dichter demanded that military action in Gaza proceed. Elkin stated that failing to launch an offensive within two weeks would signify Israel's acceptance of the roadmap. Smotrich, Strock, and Dichter urged Netanyahu to issue a formal statement confirming Israel's opposition to the plan's second phase implementation.

Smotrich told Netanyahu that while he is skilled at maneuvering, the official document from the Gaza Peace Council (BoP) must be delegitimized. He emphasized that Hamas must be eliminated, not left to persist. The BoP had recently released a draft agreement outlining principles and mechanisms for the next phase of Trump's Gaza peace initiative, including security, governance, and transitional arrangements for Gaza, along with a political track proposal.

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You are good at maneuvering, but after the publication of the official document (BoP), we must delegitimize it. We cannot continue maneuvering.

Since the ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10, 2025, Israel has reportedly continued daily attacks on Gaza. These actions have resulted in the deaths of 1,252 Palestinians and injured 4,120 others, with women and children constituting a significant portion of the casualties. According to Palestinian figures, the Israeli military currently controls 70 percent of Gaza following a conflict that began in October 2003, which has killed 73,000 and wounded 174,000 Palestinians.

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Hamas must not be left. Hamas must be eliminated.