Israel 'will return to the whole of Gaza,' should 'erase' Oslo Accords, Smotrich says

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared that Israel intends to "settle all of Gaza" and expand its presence significantly beyond the former Gush Katif settlement bloc. Smotrich's assertive statements, made in a video interview, signal a strong push for Israeli control and settlement in the Gaza Strip.

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Gush Katif is small. We will return to the whole of Gaza in a big way.

These remarks come shortly after reports indicated that plans for establishing three Israeli settlements in northern Gaza have been finalized. Smotrich has publicly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve these plans, emphasizing the need for immediate implementation. The Israeli military reportedly controls about 70% of the Gaza Strip, with a security source suggesting this operational control could expand in the coming months.

Smotrich also framed his efforts as a mission to "repair the terrible damage caused by the Oslo Accords disaster," referencing the 1995 agreement that divided the West Bank into different administrative areas. His vision for Gaza directly challenges the US-backed plan for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) to assume administrative control of the territory.

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begin immediately.

While Hamas has announced its intention to dissolve its government and transfer Gaza's administration to the NCAG, citing a desire to "deny Israel’s excuses," skepticism remains about the group's sincerity. Hamas also announced the resignation of its Emergency Committee head as a step toward dissolving the body that functions as its government in Gaza. However, diplomatic sources suggest these moves are insufficient, and Hamas has created obstacles in recent talks with the US-backed Board of Peace, backtracking on agreements and introducing new demands.

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We are working hard to repair the terrible damage caused by the Oslo Accords disaster.

The potential assertion of Israeli sovereignty over Gaza faces considerable diplomatic hurdles. The NCAG plan, supported by the US, aims for a Palestinian administrative body to govern the territory. The conflicting ambitions of Israeli settlement and Palestinian administration present a complex and potentially volatile situation.

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to deny Israel’s excuses.