Setback to Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks as far-right Israeli official visits contested Jerusalem holy site
CBSN
Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sparked anger Thursday with another visit to Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site, threatening to disrupt ongoing discussions about a cease-fire in the devastating war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Ben-Gvir said he went to the contested Jerusalem hilltop compound where the Al-Aqsa Mosque stands to pray for the return of Israeli hostages from Gaza, "but without a reckless deal, without surrendering."
Standing in front of the golden-domed mosque, Ben-Gvir said he was "praying and working hard" to ensure that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won't bow to international pressure, including from Israel's most important ally the United States, to agree to a cease-fire in the war that officials in Hamas-run Gaza say has killed more than 38,600 Palestinians.
