Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan and called for Israel to take control of the Gaza Strip and impose military rule.
“We must explain to him that his plan is bad for the State of Israel and cancel it. Gaza is ours, and its future will affect our future more than that of anyone else. Therefore, we are taking responsibility for what happens there, imposing military rule, and completing the mission,” Smotrich said at a ceremony inaugurating the settlement of Yatziv in Gush Etzion on Monday.
Smotrich thanked Trump for his support for Israel and efforts to assist in returning hostages but said the US president’s Gaza plan should be canceled.
During his speech, Smotrich questioned whether the costs of the war had led to sufficient policy change. He warned against transferring control of the territory to other actors and criticized Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt, accusing them of hostility toward Israel.
Smotrich said Israel must choose between full control of Gaza, the destruction of Hamas, continued suppression of terrorism, and permanent Israeli settlement or what he described as wasting the achievements of the war.
He rejected the idea that Israel could avoid responsibility for Gaza and said he did not intend to wait decades to return to the area.
He called for dismantling what he described as the headquarters in Kiryat Gat, issuing an ultimatum to Hamas for disarmament and exile, and launching a military operation if the ultimatum expired.
Smotrich also called for opening the Rafah crossing with or without Egyptian consent and allowing Gaza residents to leave the territory.
He concluded by saying he hoped a similar settlement ceremony would soon take place in the Gaza Strip.
“With God’s help, we will meet very soon at a similar ceremony in the Gaza Strip. I very much hope that this will be led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will lead it, and that we will not require political upheavals along the way.”
Netanyahu not informed of Qatari, Turkish participation in Gaza Board
Additionally, Israel was not notified in advance about the presence of Qatari and Turkish officials among the Gaza Board of Peace announced by Trump, US officials told N12 on Saturday.
“We did not tell Netanyahu in advance about the composition of the executive committee. He did not expect there to be representatives from Turkey and Qatar, but Gaza is now our show, not his show,” the officials told N12.
“If he [Netanyahu] wants the Trump administration to deal with Gaza – we will do it our way,” they added.
The revelation came as Israeli officials raised concerns over the makeup of the Board of Peace, saying that it contradicts Israeli policy and was not brought up with Israeli authorities.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to take the matter up with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Prime Minister’s Office stated following the announcement.
Tobias Holcman contributed to this report.