DaysofPal – Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has renewed his call for the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the establishment of a military government there, prompting sharp criticism from opposition leader Yair Lapid, who dismissed the proposal as “an illusion.”
According to the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Smotrich said during a press conference on Monday evening that the objective is to “occupy Gaza, establish a military government, build Israeli settlements in the Strip, and encourage the voluntary migration of Gaza’s residents.”
His remarks come despite a plan introduced by US President Donald Trump that entered into force in October and sought to end the war in Gaza. Smotrich continues to promote scenarios involving full occupation of the territory.
Maariv also cited Lapid responding that “Smotrich lives in illusions,” adding that he wanted to clarify the reality on the ground because the minister appeared not to recognize it.
Lapid stated that there are 30,000 Hamas fighters in Gaza and noted that the Peace Council includes Turkey and Qatar. He added that the technocratic government body formed to manage Gaza, which was endorsed by the Israeli government, is effectively under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
He further pointed out that Palestinian Authority employees are present at the Rafah crossing, where they stamp the passports of those entering Gaza with Palestinian Authority seals, describing this as the existing reality on the ground.
“I have no problem with Smotrich living in a world of fantasy. Fantasy is legitimate,” Lapid said. “But why speak about it in the media?”
Israel launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza on October 8, 2023, with US support. The war lasted two years and resulted in more than 72,000 Palestinians killed and over 171,000 wounded, the majority of them women and children. Approximately 90 percent of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure sustained damage or destruction.
A ceasefire took effect in October 2025. Israeli forces continue to carry out air strikes and demolition operations in various parts of the Strip, drawing accusations of repeated violations of the agreement.
Under Trump’s plan for Gaza, four structures were formed during the transitional phase: the National Committee for Gaza Administration, the Peace Council, the Gaza Executive Council, and the International Stabilization Force.
The National Committee for Gaza Administration is defined as a non-political body responsible for managing daily civil affairs in the Strip. It consists of 11 Palestinian figures in addition to its head, Shaath. The committee began operating from Cairo in mid-January but has not yet commenced its duties inside Gaza.
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