Jerusalem: Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced his resignation on Wednesday and called for early elections after a sharp disagreement over a Gaza ceasefire deal, throwing the government into turmoil.
"What happened yesterday -- the truce combined with the process with Hamas -- is capitulating to terror. It has no other meaning," Lieberman told journalists in explaining his reasons for resigning.
"What we´re doing now as a state is buying short-term quiet, with the price being severe long-term damage to national security."
He added later: "We should agree on a date for elections as early as possible."
Lieberman also said his party was leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu´s coalition, leaving the premier with only a one-seat majority in parliament.
Elections are not due until November 2019, but Lieberman´s resignation increases the likelihood of an earlier vote.
Lieberman, a security hardliner, heads the right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party, which holds five seats in the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament.
Netanyahu has defended Tuesday´s ceasefire deal that ended the worst escalation between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza since a 2014 war.
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