Israel defence minister resigns, urges early elections

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman urged early elections on Wednesday after announcing his resignation following a controversial Gaza ceasefire deal.

"We should agree on a date for elections as early as possible," Lieberman told journalists, while sharply criticising the ceasefire that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended.

Lieberman announced his resignation on Wednesday 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.

"What we're doing now as a state is buying short-term quiet, with the price being severe long-term damage to national security."