Gaza: The extremist Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has called for the occupation of substantial areas of the Gaza Strip. Smotrich expressed his views during an interview with Kan, the official Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, stating, "My plan is for large parts of Gaza to be under our control and sovereignty, and we can also settle there." He emphasized that this approach is essential for maintaining security, although he acknowledged that it is not aligned with Prime Minister Netanyahu's current plans.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Smotrich further expressed his dissatisfaction during a recent security cabinet session by questioning Prime Minister Netanyahu's capability to secure a victory in Gaza. The minister opposes the gradual occupation plan, advocating instead for an immediate large-scale military operation and the re-establishment of settlements in the region.
Following Smotrich's statements, Knesset member Zvi Sukkot, from Smotrich's party, threatened to press for early elections unless Netanyahu adopted a more aggressive approach towards Gaza. The Israeli security cabinet, often referred to as the Cabinet, has since approved the occupation of Gaza City and expanded military actions in the area.
The Israeli media reported that the Cabinet unanimously sanctioned a military plan, authorizing Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz to implement these military strategies. The plan reportedly involves displacing citizens of Gaza City to the south, encircling the city, and conducting further incursions into population centers, aligning with Smotrich's demands for territorial occupation and settlement construction in Gaza.
Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have maintained control over most parts of Gaza City, except for small areas, before eventually withdrawing from most of the territories in April 2024. Previously, Smotrich had instructed efforts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.
