Israeli Minister Resigns Over Hamas Hostage Deal, Shaking Netanyahu Coalition

Far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir steps down in protest of the ceasefire agreement, but Netanyahu's government retains a slim parliamentary majority.

• Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right police minister, resigned over the government's agreement with Hamas to release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
• Ben-Gvir's party, Otzma Yehudit, with six Knesset seats, has also exited the coalition, reducing Prime Minister Netanyahu's majority to 62 seats out of 120.
• The deal includes the release of 33 hostages by Hamas over six weeks, with Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, some convicted of serious crimes.
• Ben-Gvir criticized the agreement, warning that released prisoners might commit future attacks and called for the resumption of military action against Hamas.
• Netanyahu's coalition remains intact for now, with opposition leader Yair Lapid offering parliamentary support to ensure the deal's implementation if needed.

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