Smotrich says defeating Hamas requires Israeli control and settlements in Gaza

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that completely defeating Hamas would require Israel to occupy and maintain control over the Gaza Strip and establish Israeli settlements there. According to Israel’s Channel 7, Smotrich argued that negotiations with Hamas leaders were incompatible with the Israeli government’s stated objective of eliminating the movement. He said Israel should not be negotiating with Hamas figures whom, in his view, it should instead be seeking to eliminate. His remarks come amid renewed Israeli and US discussions over the future governance, security and reconstruction of Gaza as efforts continue to advance US President Donald Trump’s plan for the territory. READ: Israeli ministers call for renewed Gaza attacks, rejection of Trump’s ceasefire roadmap Separately, the office of Israeli […]