Smotrich threatens to 'apply sovereignty' in Gaza if Israeli captives are harmed
Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said Hamas should be threatened with a gradual annexation of the Gaza Strip should any Israeli captives be harmed.
“The way to protect the [captives] is to inform Hamas that for every one of our kidnapped, God forbid, if something happens to them - we will apply sovereignty to five percent of the Gaza Strip on that day,” Smotrich said, speaking at the Institute for Haredi Strategy and Policy on Monday.
“Another kidnapped, another 5 percent; another kidnapped, another 5 percent; we have backup for that.”
Smotrich hinted that US President Donald Trump endorses the idea, adding that they should also cut off the flow of humanitarian aid to the war-torn Palestinian enclave.
“President Trump said tonight that the state of Israel can and should issue an unequivocal ultimatum: either the kidnapped are returned by Saturday, all of them without exception, or the gates of hell are opened,” the minister added.
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“I'm telling you that an ultimatum needs to be issued and the gates of hell opened on them - cut off water and electricity, stop humanitarian aid. We have full backing.”
On Monday, Trump said that “all hell will break loose” if Hamas does not release all Israeli captives by Saturday at midday. This demand goes further than the Gaza truce agreement in force since January.
Trump’s remarks come after the Palestinian group said it would delay releasing captives due to Israel’s repeated violations of the fragile ceasefire, including delays in allowing Palestinians to return to north Gaza, repeated bombings that have caused several deaths and the blocking of humanitarian aid.
Seemingly emboldened by Trump’s words, Smotrich insisted on re-entering the war and capturing Gaza’s land should the ceasefire deal fall apart.
“Nothing pains our enemies more than land,” he said.
“They only understand force. They don’t care about tens of thousands of casualties and destroyed buildings - that’s what needs to be done.
“Issue an ultimatum, completely halt the absurdity of humanitarian aid, electricity and water. Gather all Gaza residents into one area, maintain minimal control and remove them to a different future.”
The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which went into force in late January, saw the release of at least 16 Israeli and five Thai captives, in exchange for the freeing of hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
Over the past few days, Trump has repeatedly said that the US plans on taking over the Gaza Strip and expelling the Palestinian population to Egypt and Jordan, without allowing them to return.
His plan was met with praise from most leading figures in Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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