Israeli Minister Declares Total Destruction of Gaza Amid Military Offensive
Bezalel Smotrich's controversial statements follow Israeli cabinet approval for expanded military operations in Gaza.
An Israeli government minister has made a contentious declaration that "Gaza will be entirely destroyed" as part of an Israeli military strategy, which has raised significant concerns regarding potential ethnic cleansing amidst an escalating conflict.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich remarked that the Palestinian population in Gaza would be compelled to "leave in great numbers to third countries," following a day after Israel's security cabinet greenlit plans for Operation Gideon’s Chariots.
An Israeli official described this operation as primarily focused on the "conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories" long-term.
Smotrich's comments have sparked global outrage, prompting a response from the UK’s Middle East minister, Hamish Falconer, who stated that any attempt to annex land in Gaza would be deemed unacceptable.
Concurrently, Hamas has expressed its refusal to engage in further truce discussions with Israel, characterizing the situation as a "hunger war" due to the ongoing blockade on humanitarian aid deliveries to the region that has intensified over the past two months.
In response to the planned offensive, Effie Defrin, Israel’s chief military spokesperson, indicated a strategy focused on relocating a significant portion of Gaza’s population as a protective measure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment in social media, emphasizing the movement of civilians for their own safety but providing limited details on the execution of this strategy.
Smotrich, addressing a conference on Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, continued to elaborate on his vision for Gaza, suggesting that it would be fundamentally transformed during and after military operations.
He stated, "Civilians will be sent to ...
a humanitarian zone without Hamas or terrorism, and from there they will start to leave in great numbers to third countries."
Egypt and Jordan have categorically rejected the idea of absorbing Gaza's refugees, maintaining that such an influx would implicate them in the ethnic cleansing narrative surrounding the Gaza population.
The international community is also closely monitoring allegations of potential genocide linked to Israel's military campaign, with the International Court of Justice evaluating accusations and issuing measures aimed at preventing acts conducive to genocidal actions.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant amidst ongoing investigations into the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
Victor Kattan, a public international law scholar, highlighted the gravity of Smotrich's remarks, noting that any forced displacement could classify as a crime against humanity under international law.
In recent developments, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 22 individuals at a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza, according to local civil defense reports.
These strikes were part of a wider military escalation that included airstrikes on Houthi forces in Yemen, which damaged Yemen's main international airport.
Since the hostilities reignited following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in significant civilian casualties, Gaza has endured relentless bombings, leading to the displacement of nearly all of its 2.3 million residents.
Reports indicate that more than 52,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the conflict, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis described as catastrophic, with widespread shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
Negotiations facilitated by Qatar and Egypt have faltered, showing little progress as hostilities persist.
Israeli officials have indicated that any new military operation will be postponed until after Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
Recent actions also saw US officials remain largely silent on the latest threats from the Israeli government.
In contrast, Donald Trump articulated his intentions to provide food aid to the beleaguered Palestinian populace while attributing the difficulties to Hamas's alleged diversion of humanitarian resources.
The potential for further military actions continues as Israel seeks to re-establish its operational strategies in Gaza, with implications for both local and regional stability.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich remarked that the Palestinian population in Gaza would be compelled to "leave in great numbers to third countries," following a day after Israel's security cabinet greenlit plans for Operation Gideon’s Chariots.
An Israeli official described this operation as primarily focused on the "conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories" long-term.
Smotrich's comments have sparked global outrage, prompting a response from the UK’s Middle East minister, Hamish Falconer, who stated that any attempt to annex land in Gaza would be deemed unacceptable.
Concurrently, Hamas has expressed its refusal to engage in further truce discussions with Israel, characterizing the situation as a "hunger war" due to the ongoing blockade on humanitarian aid deliveries to the region that has intensified over the past two months.
In response to the planned offensive, Effie Defrin, Israel’s chief military spokesperson, indicated a strategy focused on relocating a significant portion of Gaza’s population as a protective measure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment in social media, emphasizing the movement of civilians for their own safety but providing limited details on the execution of this strategy.
Smotrich, addressing a conference on Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, continued to elaborate on his vision for Gaza, suggesting that it would be fundamentally transformed during and after military operations.
He stated, "Civilians will be sent to ...
a humanitarian zone without Hamas or terrorism, and from there they will start to leave in great numbers to third countries."
Egypt and Jordan have categorically rejected the idea of absorbing Gaza's refugees, maintaining that such an influx would implicate them in the ethnic cleansing narrative surrounding the Gaza population.
The international community is also closely monitoring allegations of potential genocide linked to Israel's military campaign, with the International Court of Justice evaluating accusations and issuing measures aimed at preventing acts conducive to genocidal actions.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant amidst ongoing investigations into the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
Victor Kattan, a public international law scholar, highlighted the gravity of Smotrich's remarks, noting that any forced displacement could classify as a crime against humanity under international law.
In recent developments, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 22 individuals at a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza, according to local civil defense reports.
These strikes were part of a wider military escalation that included airstrikes on Houthi forces in Yemen, which damaged Yemen's main international airport.
Since the hostilities reignited following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in significant civilian casualties, Gaza has endured relentless bombings, leading to the displacement of nearly all of its 2.3 million residents.
Reports indicate that more than 52,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the conflict, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis described as catastrophic, with widespread shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
Negotiations facilitated by Qatar and Egypt have faltered, showing little progress as hostilities persist.
Israeli officials have indicated that any new military operation will be postponed until after Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
Recent actions also saw US officials remain largely silent on the latest threats from the Israeli government.
In contrast, Donald Trump articulated his intentions to provide food aid to the beleaguered Palestinian populace while attributing the difficulties to Hamas's alleged diversion of humanitarian resources.
The potential for further military actions continues as Israel seeks to re-establish its operational strategies in Gaza, with implications for both local and regional stability.
