Smotrich Urges Netanyahu to Establish Settlements in Gaza

Smotrich claims the Israel Defense Forces currently maintain control over 70% of Gaza, and he is pressing for a full military takeover of the remaining territory. His stated goal involves creating a protective belt of settlements to secure the Israeli communities along the Gaza envelope. This proposal directly challenges the 2005 Israeli withdrawal from the region and defies international legal standards regarding the occupied territories.

While Prime Minister Netanyahu has avoided explicit public support for such resettlement, his recent military directives have already pushed Israeli control well beyond the boundaries established in last year’s ceasefire agreement. The current international framework, including resolutions backed by the United Nations and the peace plan associated with Donald Trump, maintains that Israel should not occupy or annex Gaza. Palestinian groups have labeled Smotrich’s demand a criminal escalation, while analysts warn that his position as a high-ranking official signals a deliberate shift toward permanent territorial seizure.