Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated that a victory for Israel in Gaza will result in the Palestinian territory being “entirely destroyed” before its residents relocate to other countries.
“Gaza will be wholly destroyed, civilians will be relocated to … the south into a humanitarian zone devoid of Hamas or terrorism, and from there, they will begin to depart in substantial numbers to third nations,” the far-right politician remarked at a conference on Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank.
His comments came after Hamas dismissed ceasefire discussions with Israel as futile, accusing it of conducting a “hunger war” on Gaza amid looming famine and preparations for a more extensive attack on the war-torn Palestinian territory.
This past Sunday, Israel approved a military strategy aimed at the “conquest” of Gaza, a region where nearly all of the 2.3 million inhabitants have been displaced, exacerbated by a two-month Israeli blockade that has intensified the humanitarian crisis.
Mr. Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau and former Gaza health minister, stated that the international community must exert pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt the “crimes of hunger, thirst, and killings”.
Displaced Gazans are seen among the debris of destroyed buildings in Jabalia.
Qatar, a crucial mediator in the conflict, remarked that “our efforts are ongoing” towards achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.
Yesterday, Israel’s military announced that expanded operations in Gaza would aim to displace “most” of its population.
On Sunday, Israel’s security cabinet sanctioned a military plan for expanded operations, which one official indicated would involve “the conquest of the Gaza Strip and control of the territories”.
The timing of troop deployments provided a “window of opportunity” for a potential hostage agreement coinciding with US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East, which begins in Saudi Arabia on 13 May, a senior Israeli security source disclosed.
Since the onset of the war triggered by Hamas’s attack on 7 October 2023, nearly all inhabitants of the territory have been displaced multiple times.
Israel’s military renewed its offensive against Gaza on 18 March, concluding a two-month truce.
Gaza’s civil defense reported that six Palestinians, including a young girl, lost their lives in Israeli dawn strikes on Gaza.
Moaz Hamdan, who experienced loss of family in a strike in Nuseirat, central Gaza, described being jolted awake by “a very large explosion”.
“We saw the entire area enveloped in dust and destruction, rendering visibility impossible. We were unable to assist the injured,” he recounted.
The UN has issued warnings of impending famine in Gaza.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog remarked that Israel is navigating a delicate phase involving “tough dialogues” alongside “increased military actions” aimed at securing the return of hostages.
“I firmly believe all parties must strive harder, make additional efforts, and take necessary steps to bring our hostages home immediately,” he emphasized.
Hundreds of Israelis protested yesterday outside parliament in Jerusalem to express their disapproval of the government’s plan.
“Gaza is, and must remain, an integral part of a future Palestinian state,” Farhan Haq stated.
Both the UN and humanitarian organizations have consistently highlighted the looming humanitarian disaster in Gaza amid the specter of famine.
A senior Israeli security official mentioned that “a central aspect of the plan involves a large-scale evacuation of the entire Gazan population from combat zones … to areas in southern Gaza”.
Military spokesperson Effie Defrin stated that the offensive will include “relocating most of the Gaza Strip population … for their protection”.
The French Foreign Minister expressed that Paris “very strongly” condemns Israel’s planned Gaza offensive.
China has voiced opposition to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, expressing “high concern” over the situation and urging all involved to “effectively enforce the ceasefire agreement”.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned Israel’s planned military actions in Gaza as “unacceptable”, asserting that it constitutes a violation of humanitarian law.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs called for an end to the violence in Gaza, expressing deep dismay at Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid.
Speaking at the Global Ireland Summit at Dublin Castle, Simon Harris noted with alarm that the World Food Programme reported diminishing food supplies in Gaza, with residents facing what he termed a famine.
While asserting that Hamas should face condemnation, the Tánaiste insisted that “Ireland and the EU” must also prompt Israel to adhere to international law.
Earlier, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health confirmed the medical evacuation of four additional children from Gaza to Ireland.
For Palestinians, any forced relocation conjures memories of the ‘Nakba’, referring to the mass displacement during the war leading to Israel’s establishment in 1948.
The health ministry in Hamas-governed Gaza reported yesterday that at least 2,459 individuals have died since Israel resumed its campaign on 18 March, raising the total death toll from the conflict to 52,567.
Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October resulted in 1,218 fatalities on the Israeli side, predominantly among civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official statistics.
Of the 251 individuals abducted by militants that day, 58 remain in captivity within Gaza, with the Israeli military asserting that 34 of them are deceased.
Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, have reached an impasse, with Israel demanding a short-term ceasefire alongside Hamas’s disarmament, while Hamas insists that talks should pave the way for a permanent resolution to the conflict.
