Smotrich: Gaza Will Be "Totally Destroyed," Palestinians to Be Forcibly Displaced "in Large Numbers to Third Countries"
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated on Tuesday that within six months, Gaza will be "completely destroyed," with its Palestinian population forcibly displaced "in large numbers to third countries."
In remarks at a “Settlements Conference” in the illegal settlement of Ofra, Smotrich said Gaza will soon “be totally destroyed”, with its population “concentrated” by an Israeli-imposed military corridor in the south of the enclave. From there, Palestinians “will leave in great numbers to third countries”, said Smotrich.
“Within a few months, we will be able to declare that we have won. Gaza will be totally destroyed,” Smotrich said. “In another six months, Hamas won’t exist as a functioning entity.”
He said that the population of Gaza, some 2.3 million Palestinians, would be “concentrated” in a narrow strip of land between the Egyptian border and the so-called Morag Corridor.
The area would be a “humanitarian” zone, the far-right minister claimed, “absent of Hamas and terrorism.”
The rest of the Strip, he added, “will be empty.”
“They [Gazans] will be totally despairing, understanding that there is no hope and nothing to look for in Gaza, and will be looking for relocation to begin a new life in other places.”
He also declared that Israel would “apply sovereignty” in the West Bank within the lifetime of the current government, which is due to expire in October 2026, unless elections are called earlier.
Acknowledging this, Smotrich told the conference that the new construction in the E1 area “is how we kill the de facto Palestinian state.”
“It will happen this term,” he said of plans to annex the West Bank. “It is one of our most important challenges. We are at a historic opportunity.”
Then, on Monday, the ultranationalist minister stated, “We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip. We will stop being afraid of the word ‘occupation'”, and added that after occupying the Strip, “we can talk about sovereignty.”
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet approved plans to expand the genocide in Gaza with officials suggesting that the plans include the “conquest” and full military occupation of the entire Gaza Strip.
Israeli reports said the cabinet had approved plans for an expanded ground invasion, but said it would not begin until after US President Donald Trump’s upcoming travels to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which will take place from May 13 to 16.
The approval of the war expansion came after the Israeli military said it would mobilize tens of thousands of reservists to the enclave.
The plans will also put the Israeli military in charge of food and other vital supplies to the 2.3 million people suffering under its blockade of the Palestinian territory. Israel reportedly plans to use US security contractors to control the flow of aid into Gaza.
The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), a forum that includes United Nations agencies, said on Sunday that Israeli officials were seeking its consent to deliver aid through what it described as “Israeli hubs under conditions set by the Israeli military, once the government agrees to re-open crossings”.
In a statement, the HCT said such a plan would be dangerous and would “contravene fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic – as part of a military strategy”.
One Israeli official said the new plans for Israel’s war in Gaza involves “the conquest of territory and remaining there.” The Israeli military will displace the Palestinian population to southern Gaza while carrying out “powerful strikes” against Hamas, the official said.
In a Hebrew-language video message on X, addressing the Security Cabinet-approved plan to expand the Gaza offensive, Netanyahu said on Monday that Gaza’s Palestinian population “will be moved, for its own protection”.
Netanyahu also confirmed that Israeli soldiers would not go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. “The intention is the opposite of that,” he said.
An Israeli source told AFP news agency that Netanyahu “continues to promote” United States President Donald Trump’s plan for the forced displacement of Palestinians from the enclave.
Israel unilaterally violated the Gaza ceasefire in March after refusing to proceed to the second phase, which would have secured the release of all remaining captives. Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected offers from Hamas for their release.
Since March 2, Israel has closed Gaza’s main crossings, halting the flow of food, medical aid, and other humanitarian supplies. This blockade has caused a severe and unprecedented decline in living conditions, with human rights organizations accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians.
Israel resumed its assault on Gaza on March 18, killing over 2,400 Palestinians and wounding more than 6,500—mostly children and women, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
French lawmakers have dismissed a petition signed by more than 700,000 people opposing a bill to expand antisemitism laws, clearing the way for a heated parliamentary debate as critics warn of threats to free speech and democratic accountability.
The US Senate has narrowly rejected a bid to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to launch further strikes on Iran, even as tensions escalate in the region and Israel pushes for a tougher US stance. The 52–47 vote exposed deep divisions in Washington over war powers, presidential authority, and the risk of a wider Middle East conflict.
Far-right Polish MP, Konrad Berkowicz, fires back at Israel’s embassy, condemning its actions and declaring, “I consider you Nazis,” after facing antisemitism accusations over a parliament protest.
