Minister-Proposed Exchange Deal 'Contradicts Goals Of War'

Wires carrying comments attributed to Minister of Settlements and National Missions Orit Strook, speaking on Army Radio claiming that the current proposed exchange deal between Israel and Hamas 'contradicts the goals of the war, which is to eliminate all of Hamas' capabilities'. This comment, from a sitting cabinet member, shows the dilemma PM Benjamin Netanyahu faces in the tasks of securing the release of hostages, bringing the war in Gaza to an end, and not losing his gov'ts majority in the Knesset.

• Strook hails from the ultranationalist National Religious Party–Religious Zionism led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Religious Zionisim, alongside Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit, sit as key members of the Netanyahu gov't. Without their backing, the administration would lose its majority in the Knesset.
• Comes as AP reports "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled that a cease-fire deal that would free dozens of hostages in Gaza could be taking shape...Egypt, Qatar and the United States are pushing Israel and Hamas toward a phased deal [...]. Netanyahu’s office has said a negotiating team will be sent to continue talks Thursday." Speaking on 22 July in Washington, D.C., Netanyahu said the conditions for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal were “ripening,”
• Should any eventual ceasefire result in the ultranationalists pulling out of gov't it would risk a period of paralysis under a minority Likud-led gov't, or a vote of no confidence presaging elections. Opinion polling shows that at present a broad opposition coalition led by Benny Gantz's National Unity alliance would be best placed to form a majority administration.