August 30, 2025 | 02:00 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has urged the government to start seizing parts of the Gaza Strip if the Palestinian militant group Hamas continues to refuse to lay down arms. Smotrich, a right-wing minister in Israel, vocally opposes any agreement with Hamas to end the nearly two-year war. He has expressed the target for Israel to achieve victory in Gaza by the end of this year.
According to Smotrich's proposal, Hamas will be given an ultimatum to surrender, disarm, and release hostages still held in Gaza since the group's attack in October 2023. If Hamas refuses, Smotrich says Israel should seize parts of the territory each week for four weeks, resulting in most of the Gaza Strip being under full Israeli control.
Smotrich stated that Palestinian residents would first be instructed to move south in Gaza, followed by Israel imposing a siege in the northern and central areas to defeat remaining Hamas militants there, culminating in annexation.
"This can be achieved in three to four months," he said on Thursday, August 28, 2025, as reported by Al Arabiya.
His statement comes as Israeli forces launch a major offensive aimed at seizing control of the city of Gaza, the largest area there. This Israeli assault has worsened the plight of civilian residents.
The majority of the over two million Gaza inhabitants have been displaced at least once during the war. In his address, Smotrich urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt the plan in its entirety.
Palestinian militant groups have condemned the proposal. In a statement, Hamas said the proposal openly supports the policy of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.
Smotrich is one of several members of the ruling coalition in Israel who have expressed support for rebuilding settlements in the Gaza Strip, where Israel withdrew its forces and settlers in 2005.
Editor's Choice: Why Is Israel's E1 Project Detrimental to Palestinian State Plan?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
U.S. to Deny Visas for Palestinian Delegates to UN General Assembly
2 jam lalu
The United States has announced its refusal to grant visas to Palestinian officials who will attend the upcoming UN General Assembly.
Why Is Israel's E1 Project Detrimental to Palestinian State Plan?
15 jam lalu
Israel's controversial decision to move forward with the E1 settlement plan in the West Bank.
UNIFIL Mandate in Southern Lebanon Extended for "Final Time" Before Withdrawal
20 jam lalu
UNIFIL has been deployed since 1978 to monitor the ceasefire along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Sweden, Netherlands Call on EU to Cut Trade Ties with Israel
1 hari lalu
Sweden and the Netherlands jointly urged the European Union to suspend trade with Israel in light of the situation in Gaza.
Former UK PM Tony Blair Attends Trump's Post-War Gaza Meeting
1 hari lalu
Donald Trump invites former UK PM Tony Blair to a meeting on the Israel war in Gaza.
UN Report: Nearly 1,000 Palestinians in West Bank Killed by Israel Since October 2023
2 hari lalu
According to the United Nations Human Rights Office, at least 982 Palestinian residents of the occupied West Bank have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers since the start of the genocide in Gaza.
Australia Dismisses Claims of Israel Intervention in Iran Envoy Expulsion
2 hari lalu
Israel made the claim after the Australian PM accused Iran of directing two attacks on Jewish communities, a claim that Tehran has denied.
PBNU Chair Supports Prabowo's Plan to Evacuate Palestinians to Indonesia
2 hari lalu
PBNU Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf considers President Prabowo Subianto's idea to evacuate Palestinians as a progressive step.
Germany Rejects Recognition of Palestine as a State
2 hari lalu
Chancellor Frederick Merz reaffirmed that Germany will not recognize Palestine, sticking to its long-held stance despite international pressure.
Israeli Airstrikes on Damascus Kill Six Syrian Soldiers
3 hari lalu
Six officers were killed in an Israeli attack on the Syrian capital, Damascus.
