Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known for his incendiary remarks, has said Hamas must be destroyed following the return of captives from Gaza.

“Immediately after the hostages return home, the state of Israel will continue to strive with all its might for the true eradication of Hamas and the genuine disarmament of Gaza, so that it no longer poses a threat to Israel,” Smotrich said in a post on X.

Smotrich said he will not vote in favour of a ceasefire deal with Hamas to end the war in Gaza, but stopped short of threatening to bring down Netanyahu’s coalition government.

“It is also imperative to ensure that we do not revert to the misconceptions of October 6th and become addicted again to artificial calm, diplomatic embraces, and smiling ceremonies, while mortgaging the future and paying horrific prices,” he also stated.