Israeli Minister Admits Blocking Hostage Deal as Critics Accuse Government of Choosing War Over Peace

JERUSALEM — A senior Israeli minister has publicly acknowledged using political power to block a hostage-ceasefire deal multiple times, intensifying criticism that Israel’s leadership has deliberately prolonged the war in Gaza at the expense of captives’ lives and regional stability.

In a headline published by The Jerusalem Post, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was quoted admitting that he and his allies repeatedly prevented a hostage deal from advancing. “In the past year, through our political power, we succeeded in preventing this deal from moving forward, time and time again,” he said.

The admission has fueled outrage among hostage families and critics who argue the government has prioritized ideological hard-line positions over the safe return of civilians held in Gaza. For months, relatives of hostages have led mass protests across Israel, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of refusing viable agreements that could have freed captives on both sides.

The controversy also re-ignited broader criticism of Israel’s long-running policies toward Palestinians. Human rights advocates say Israel had clear alternatives over decades: withdraw from occupied territories and allow an independent Palestinian state, or extend equal civil and political rights to all people under its control. Instead, critics argue, Israel entrenched an unequal system while expanding settlements and tightening restrictions on Gaza, described by many observers as an open-air prison.

Ben-Gvir’s remarks undercut claims that the absence of a deal rests solely with Hamas. Polling and public demonstrations suggest many Israelis blame their own government’s political choices—particularly the influence of far-right ministers—for blocking negotiations that could have paused fighting and returned hostages.

International pressure has grown as well. Critics say U.S. leaders—including Joe Biden, Donald J. Trump, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Senator Marco Rubio—have failed to clearly confront Israeli officials over decisions that, by Ben-Gvir’s own admission, obstructed a hostage deal. Human rights groups argue that continued diplomatic cover has enabled policies that deepen civilian suffering and foreclose peace.

As protests continue, Ben-Gvir’s statement stands as one of the most explicit acknowledgments yet that Israel’s current course is not simply the product of battlefield realities—but of deliberate political choice. For hostage families and critics alike, the admission sharpens a central question: whether Israel’s leadership will continue a war many say could have been paused—or finally pursue a path centered on ceasefire, accountability, and equal rights.