Israel’s Smotrich calls for phased Gaza annexation if Hamas does not disarm
Summary
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has proposed that Israel should take control of the Gaza Strip if Hamas does not disarm and release Israeli captives. Smotrich's plan involves annexing parts of Gaza weekly over a month, starting with Palestinians moving south and imposing a siege on the north and central areas. The proposal sparked strong reactions from Hamas and has been condemned internationally.Key Facts
- Bezalel Smotrich is Israel's Finance Minister and a member of the far-right.
- Smotrich suggests annexing Gaza if Hamas does not disarm, release captives, and surrender.
- His plan includes moving Palestinians south, imposing a siege, and annexing Gaza incrementally.
- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the resulting humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Hamas rejected the proposal, citing it as a form of extermination and a policy of starvation.
- Smotrich calls on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to support the annexation plan.
- Netanyahu has not publicly commented but suggested plans to control Gaza.
- Israel's military has been ordering evacuations in Gaza, and Smotrich supports re-establishing settlements there.
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