Ben Gvir: We are not under Washington's guardianship and Hamas should have been eliminated.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated that Israel is not under the guardianship of the United States, reiterating his criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump's positions.

In a radio interview today, Sunday, Ben Gvir said, "I appreciate President Trump very much, but we are a sovereign independent state and we are not under Washington's guardianship," repeating a previous attack on the U.S. administration.

Last Thursday, Ben Gvir criticized Trump's remarks about the release of Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti, saying, "I have great respect for President Trump; he is undoubtedly the best American president towards Israel. However, it is important to remember: Israel is a sovereign independent state, and Knesset members vote according to their judgment."

He added, "Barghouti is a killer and will not be released, nor will he rule Gaza."

This came in response to the U.S. president's statements to Time magazine, in which he said he would "make a decision" regarding the request for Israel to release Marwan Barghouti.

Trump added in the interview, "The Palestinians do not have a leader currently, and most of the previous leaders have been shot, and this position is no longer desirable at this time."

Trump noted that he faces the question of Barghouti's release directly before almost every official call, emphasizing that he will make the appropriate decision at the right time.

Ben Gvir had stormed Barghouti's cell last August, threatening him and stating, "He will wipe out anyone who messes with the people of Israel," adding, "You will not win, and you must realize that."

Ben Gvir and Hamas On another note, Ben Gvir - in his statements today - returned to discuss the goals of the war on the Gaza Strip, calling for continued efforts to "eliminate Hamas, which currently controls half of the territory."

He reiterated his opposition to the ceasefire agreement that came into effect earlier this month, stating that "eliminating Hamas should have been a priority before the return of the kidnapped."

Ben Gvir had previously confirmed that "the reasons for not continuing the war and opening the gates of hell on Gaza ended after Israel recovered its remaining living captives," noting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had told him - more than once - that "this war will never end before eliminating Hamas."