The Israeli army radio quoted Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as saying that ending the war means that Hamas is still alive and will return in two years to what it was on October 7th.

Earlier last Monday, the Finance Minister expressed his opposition to the prisoner exchange agreement in a speech during a meeting of his far-right party "Religious Zionism," during which he raised a picture of the movement's leader Yahya Sinwar, according to what was reported by Al Jazeera news network.

Smotrich added in the meeting that "this agreement is a defeat and humiliation for Israel," saying: "Mr. Prime Minister, this is not a complete victory. It is a catastrophic failure. We will not be part of an agreement to submit to Hamas."

He made these statements at a time when Israeli officials continue to hold talks through intermediaries to reach a possible ceasefire agreement with Hamas.