According to a right-wing Israeli minister, Israel’s victory necessitates the complete destruction of Gaza and the displacement of Palestinians to other nations.
Bezalel Smotrich made these remarks on Tuesday at a conference focusing on Jewish settlements in the West Bank. While Smotrich holds a high-ranking position in the Israeli government, his statement does not reflect official Israeli policy.
“We will be able to declare victory in Gaza within a year,” he told the audience. According to Agence France-Presse, Smotrich stated that “Gaza will be completely destroyed, civilians will be sent to… the south to a humanitarian zone without Hamas or terrorism, and from there they will begin to leave in large numbers for third countries.”
He further stated that “Israel has no intention of withdrawing from territories captured by the IDF, not even as part of a hostage release agreement.”
Smotrich’s comments follow the Israeli government’s approval on Monday of a plan to take control of Gaza and maintain it for an indefinite period.
In a video message, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the operation would be “intensive” and would involve moving more Palestinians to southern Gaza “for their own safety.”
The plan was approved Monday morning, but its implementation is contingent on whether a hostage deal is reached before President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to Israel on May 13.
Israel currently controls approximately 50% of Gaza, and the proposed plan would expand Israeli forces’ presence into the south. Officials stated that the plan would be implemented gradually, with Israeli forces eliminating Hamas’s control over territories.
The plan, known as Operation Gideon’s Chariots, also aims to prevent Hamas from distributing humanitarian aid, which Israel claims strengthens the group’s rule in Gaza. Israel also accuses Hamas of hoarding the aid to enhance its capabilities. Officials added that the plan includes powerful strikes against Hamas targets.
“We want our troops to fight against a tired, hungry, and exhausted enemy, not one that has supplies and aid coming from outside the strip,” Smotrich said in a statement on Monday.
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