Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for complete destruction of Gaza

Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has called for the “complete destruction” of the Gaza Strip and the mass expulsion of its Palestinian population to third countries. Speaking at a  conference organised by the right-wing Besheva newspaper, Smotrich said Israelis must now embrace the concept of “occupation” and suggested that Gaza should be depopulated and its territory retained by Israel.

His remarks, widely interpreted as advocating ethnic cleansing, came as the Israeli security cabinet approved an intensified military offensive in Gaza that many fear could lead to large-scale forced displacement.

Smotrich, a key figure in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile far-right coalition, has also pushed for the annexation of the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Excluding annexed East Jerusalem, the West Bank is home to around 30 lakh Palestinians and nearly five lakh Israeli settlers, whose presence violates international law. 

Smotrich views the West Bank as the biblical heartland of the Jewish people and has previously expressed hope that Gaza, too, will be annexed during the current government’s term.

Following the security cabinet’s authorisation, the Israeli military is preparing for a broadened ground invasion, known as Operation Gideon’s Chariots. According to Israeli officials, the plan involves the clearing of northern Gaza’s civilian population and its near-total destruction, following the so-called “Rafah model”. Under this strategy, used in previous operations, all Hamas infrastructure is to be razed, and the area designated part of a permanent Israeli buffer zone.

The Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet have finalised tactical plans, with commanders already issued practical orders. However, implementation is pending the arrival of reservists and a short window to allow for a possible hostage deal. This build-up coincides with a scheduled visit by former US President Donald Trump, set to start next week.

IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin outlined the dual goals of the operation: defeating Hamas and securing the release of hostages. He confirmed the operation would include extensive airstrikes, the clearing of large areas of Gaza, and the transfer of civilians to a so-called “sterile” humanitarian zone in the south. Hamas, in response, rejected ongoing truce negotiations, labelling Israel’s actions a “hunger war” in reference to the ongoing blockade. Nonetheless, a senior Hamas figure indicated the group might consider a long-term ceasefire if strict conditions were met.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Israel is reportedly planning to take control of aid distribution within Gaza, using private American security contractors. It could end the two-month total blockade that has severely limited food, fuel, vaccines and medical supplies to Gaza. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has, however, condemned the new Israeli proposal, warning that it goes against the core humanitarian principle of independent aid delivery. Spokesperson Jens Laerke stated that Israel’s plan is “designed to further control and restrict supplies, which is the opposite of what is needed”.

In Washington, meanwhile, a group of six Democratic US senators—Chris Van Hollen, Dick Durbin, Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Peter Welch—have called on Congress’s watchdog to investigate whether Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid violate American law. They specifically referenced the Leahy Laws, which prohibit US assistance to foreign security forces implicated in gross human rights violations, including obstruction of the delivery of humanitarian relief.

Amid growing international criticism, Netanyahu has remained defiant. In a video posted to his X account, he said the military would remain in captured parts of Gaza until Israel's war objectives were achieved. “Last night we sat late into the night in the cabinet and decided on an intensified operation in Gaza. This was the recommendation of [IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir]—to move, as he put it, toward the defeat of Hamas.” 

Middle East