Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich mentioned on Tuesday (May 6, 2025) {that a} victory for his nation in its struggle in opposition to militant group Hamas signifies that the Gaza Strip will be “entirely destroyed”.
“Gaza will be entirely destroyed, civilians will be sent to the south to a humanitarian zone without Hamas or terrorism, and from there they will start to leave in great numbers to third countries,” the far-right firebrand instructed a convention within the Israeli settlement of Ofra within the occupied West Bank.
Mr. Smotrich, who lives in a settlement within the West Bank, additionally expressed his hope that the territory would be formally annexed through the present Government’s time period, which might final till late subsequent yr.
He referred to as the annexation of the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967, “one of the most important challenges” for the Israeli management.
In latest months, Israeli public figures together with Mr. Smotrich have more and more referred to as for the annexation of the West Bank, defying world issues over the way forward for the Palestinian territory.
Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, the West Bank is dwelling to a few million Palestinians, and round 490,000 Israelis dwelling in settlements which might be unlawful underneath worldwide legislation.
Published – May 06, 2025 10:05 pm IST
