Speaking to Israeli media, Smotrich declared that the army is now operating in Gaza in a "completely different way." He claimed the military will occupy, cleanse, and hold areas in Gaza.
"This is a radical shift from previous operations," he said. "This time we will stay in the areas we take and ensure Hamas is destroyed."
Smotrich emphasized that five Israeli army divisions began a large-scale ground assault in Gaza on Sunday, calling it the most powerful military action since the start of the genocide.
He also said Israel will allow only the minimum amount of food and medicine into Gaza. "We will make sure nothing reaches Hamas," he stated.
The Israeli army launched what it called "Operation Gideon's Chariots" on Sunday, a wide ground invasion in several parts of Gaza. The move marks a major escalation in Israel’s ongoing genocide in the besieged enclave.
The Health Ministry reported that Israeli attacks have now killed 53,339 people and wounded 121,034 since October 7, 2023.
Israel resumed its assault on March 18, 2024, after breaking a ceasefire agreement. Since then, Israeli airstrikes and shelling have killed over 3,200 more Palestinians and injured around 9,000. Tens of thousands have been expelled from their homes again.
Backed by the US, Israel continues its attacks on Gaza, which many legal experts and human rights organizations now call a genocide. Over 174,000 Palestinians have been killed or wounded, most of them women and children. More than 11,000 people remain missing, and hundreds of thousands are displaced.
