Resigned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said his country has become the "laughingstock of the Middle East," criticizing Benjamin Netanyahu's government's policy on the Gaza Strip.

This came in an interview conducted on Sunday by the local radio station "Kol Barama", and republished by the newspaper "Maariv", with Ben Gvir, who resigned last month from the right-wing Israeli government in protest of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas that went into effect on January 19.

"We have become the laughingstock of the Middle East, and I'm not sure we understand that now," Ben-Gvir said.

"It is unfortunate that I was the only one in the government who opposed providing humanitarian aid (to Gaza), as I could have made a 180-degree change," he added.

Ben-Gvir criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's behavior in the face of American pressure, saying: "You cannot work all the time under pressure."

He continued: "It is certainly not easy to stand up to the President of the United States (Trump), but I expect the Prime Minister to present the truth and not tell stories."

He said that Israel should not have allowed fuel and humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, claiming that they "end up in the hands of Hamas."

Referring to the future of the Gaza Strip, Ben-Gvir called for "immediately beginning to strengthen the voluntary immigration program for Palestinians."

He added: "Today we need to launch an initiative to encourage voluntary immigration. President Trump says there is time, but for the benefit of the State of Israel we do not have time."

Ben Gvir stressed that he will not return to the government "until they move towards destroying Hamas."

In January, Ben-Gvir announced his resignation from the government in protest over its approval of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

Ben Gvir called for the creation of a position called the "Ministry of Voluntary Immigration" to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza, and for the "Otzma Yehudit" (Jewish Power) party to take over, headed by him, adding: "When Netanyahu tells me he wants this, I will be with him."

Later, Ben Gvir posted a video clip on the X platform from behind the fence of the "Nahal Oz" settlement, east of Gaza City, showing the movement of Gaza residents at a close distance from him.

He said that "the residents of the Gaza Strip approached 300 meters from the Nahal Oz settlement, considering that he will not be part of the government that signed an "illegal" deal.

The resigned minister said: "The residents of Gaza approached this morning (Sunday) to a distance of 300 meters from Nahal Oz, and are preparing for the next massacre," he said.

"Instead of shooting everyone, they are carrying out 'warning shots' - which doesn't really bother them," Ben-Gvir added.

He continued: "This is precisely why I cannot be part of a government that made the unpoetic deal and continues to create an illegitimate reality, and this is why I will not return to it unless it returns to fighting Hamas until its complete destruction."

Last month, Ben-Gvir resigned from Israel's far-right government in protest at a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

Last Tuesday, the Otzma Yehudit party, led by Ben-Gvir, submitted a bill to the Knesset (parliament) with the aim of “encouraging the voluntary departure of residents of the Gaza Strip.”

According to the bill, "a resident of Gaza who chooses to leave will be able to receive a basket of financial assistance, which will be determined by the Israeli Ministry of Finance. However, anyone convicted of involvement in a terrorist act will not be eligible for assistance," according to Israel's Channel 14.

On Tuesday, Trump announced that his country intends to seize the Gaza Strip and displace the Palestinians from it, which sparked widespread Arab, regional and international rejection.

Since January 25, Trump has been promoting a plan to displace the Palestinians of Gaza to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan, which was rejected by both countries, and was joined by other Arab countries and regional and international organizations.