Israeli Finance Minister Announces Plans to Fully Occupy Gaza and Disarm Hamas
Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s Finance Minister, has stated that the regime ultimately plans to occupy the Gaza Strip and establish Jewish settlements in the area. These remarks come amid ongoing military attacks more than four months after the ceasefire in Gaza began, with Israeli forces refusing to withdraw from the region despite the terms of the agreement.
On Monday, Smotrich told Israeli radio that the goal of “destroying Hamas” remains a priority. Referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, he added that Trump has been given the opportunity to achieve this goal “in his own way,” and if unsuccessful, the Israeli military will act with U.S. support and what he called “international legitimacy.”
The Israeli cabinet member also announced plans to issue an ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the surrender of all weapons, facilities, and tunnels. According to Smotrich, if Hamas rejects this demand, Israel will take independent action.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced that its Seventh Brigade has completed its three-month mission in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. According to the military, approximately 8.5 kilometers of tunnels in southern Gaza were destroyed during this operation.
The Israeli army also claimed that direct clashes occurred between its soldiers and Hamas forces during the Rafah operation. The Gaza Strip, which has long been under a strict blockade, remains one of the most volatile conflict zones in the Middle East, and any changes to its status carry significant humanitarian and political consequences.
