Smotrich to Netanyahu: Israel must take full control of Gaza
Against the backdrop of recent high-profile eliminations in the Gaza Strip, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to shift to full Israeli control. Smotrich advocates for occupation, military governance, and Jewish settlement in the territory.
Against the backdrop of the elimination of senior officials in the Gaza Strip in the last day, Finance Minister and Minister in the Ministry of Defense Bezalel Smotrich called today, Sunday, during remarks at the Sderot Yeshiva, for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change policy in the Strip and move to full Israeli control. Smotrich called for the occupation of the Strip, the establishment of a military government, and Jewish settlement, subsequently encouraging the voluntary emigration of residents. According to him, without Israeli control, it will not be possible to complete the dismantling of Hamas rule.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is once again presenting the alternative he seeks to promote for the day after the war: not Hamas rule, not the Palestinian Authority, and not an international body, but direct Israeli control. In remarks made at the Sderot Yeshiva, with the participation of Rabbi David Pendel and Mayor Alon Davidi, Smotrich addressed recent developments and linked the continuation of fighting to the question of who will rule Gaza afterwards.
According to him, to achieve the war goal defined after the October 7 massacre, Israel must accept full responsibility:
"To realize the central war goal that we set after these cruel Nazis committed the most terrible massacre that has occurred to the Jewish people since the Holocaust, we set in the cabinet the goal of destroying Hamas. Destroying Hamas militarily, civilly, and governmentally. The State of Israel must agree to take responsibility for Gaza. To occupy it fully, to establish a military government, to establish Jewish settlement, and then to encourage the emigration of those who want to leave."
Smotrich addressed the 15-point plan and attempts to find a party other than Hamas or the Palestinian Authority to take responsibility. He claims that establishing an international mechanism is impractical, as other countries will not be willing to send soldiers to disarm Hamas. He told the Prime Minister: "It is either us or them. Either the State of Israel will rule Gaza bravely and tell the world we do not allow Nazis to live on our fence, or terror will rule Gaza."
The disagreement within the government concerns two questions: how to dismantle Hamas's military and governmental capabilities, and who will take responsibility for the Strip afterwards. Smotrich rejects both a return of Hamas to power and rule by the Palestinian Authority, insisting on direct and full Israeli control.
