Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich Plans Phased Gaza Annexation Without Hamas Disarmament

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has proposed a plan to annex the Gaza Strip in phases if Hamas refuses to disarm, surrender, and release Israeli hostages. His strategy involves giving Palestinians in Gaza a deadline to move south, followed by imposing sieges on northern and central Gaza, and annexing the territory within three to four months. Smotrich called for a complete blockade to starve Hamas fighters, controlling humanitarian aid to cut off their support base, and aligning with U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to displace Palestinians outside the enclave. He envisions permanent Israeli control over Gaza, including opening Gaza's gates for voluntary immigration, framing the war as a generational and global security struggle. These proposals have been sharply condemned by Hamas as calls for extermination and ethnic cleansing, while international officials warn of catastrophic humanitarian consequences, including famine and displacement for Gaza’s civilian population. The plan reflects a hardline approach within Israel's ruling coalition, with Smotrich urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to adopt it fully to achieve a decisive victory over Hamas by the end of the year.