Israeli Minister Threatens Gaza Occupation Unless Hamas Disarms

Gaza War – (Web Desk) – Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Monday that Hamas could soon face a final deadline to surrender its weapons and allow the full demilitarization of Gaza.

In an interview with Israel’s public broadcaster, he said that if Hamas refuses, the Israel Defense Forces would be ready to act with international support, including backing from the United States.

Smotrich, who serves on Israel’s security cabinet, said military preparations and planning are already underway.

Under the first stage of a US-brokered ceasefire that paused two years of war, Israeli forces pulled back to positions behind a designated Yellow Line but still maintain control over more than half of the Gaza Strip.

The second phase of the agreement, which began last month, includes plans for a gradual Israeli withdrawal and the disarmament of Hamas — a demand the group has strongly rejected. Smotrich warned that if Hamas does not agree to dissolve and disarm, Israeli forces will move in and take full control of Gaza.

Asked how the military would do this, he said, “There are two or three alternatives right now that we are examining”.

The peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump also calls for the establishment of a 20,000-strong peacekeeping force, called the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), to which several countries have committed troops.

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Asked how the Israeli army would operate against Hamas when foreign soldiers are deployed on the ground, Smotrich said the latter would “pull out very quickly and allow the (Israeli military) to enter. This is coordinated with the Americans.”

“By the way, I don’t yet see them going in that fast,” he added of the ISF.