Israel’s far-right security minister has condemned a “grave and dangerous mistake” by army chief Eyal Zamir after he made positive ceasefire comments while visiting invading soldiers in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

Itamar Ben-Gvir said Zamir’s comments that it would be a “great achievement for you” if a truce and captive exchange deal is reached in the coming days are “extremely reckless”.

“Our soldiers have been fighting for a very long time to achieve the primary goal of this operation: to eliminate Hamas in Gaza,” Ben-Gvir said during a speech, adding a deal would be bad because it would get humanitarian aid into Gaza and release some Palestinian prisoners.

“I do not believe in a deal that weakens our power and gives Hamas oxygen, but I believe in the complete occupation of the Gaza Strip, enhancing military operations, and encouraging voluntary migration.”