“We Will Occupy Gaza”: Smotrich Rules Out Withdrawal, Even for Prisoner Deal
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza, even if a new deal is reached to free Israeli prisoners. “We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip,” he declared, calling on Israelis to embrace the word ‘occupation.’
Smotrich made the comments during a right-wing conference hosted by Besheva newspaper, just hours after Israel’s cabinet approved a plan to expand the war and conquer more of Gaza.
“There will be no retreat from the territories we have conquered—not even in exchange for hostages,” Smotrich told Channel 12. “We are taking control of all humanitarian aid, separating Hamas from the population, cleansing the Strip, bringing back the hostages—and defeating Hamas”, he added.
Families of Israeli prisoners condemned the government for abandoning its captives. “This plan chooses territory over people and goes against the will of more than 70% of Israelis,” the group said in a statement.
Israeli polls consistently show public support for a prisoner deal, even if it requires ending the genocide.
Culture Minister Miki Zohar confirmed the new offensive aims for the “complete occupation” of Gaza. He admitted it could endanger Israeli prisoners but claimed there was “no other option.”
The Israeli cabinet had approved the expansion of the genocide in Gaza. It also approved a shift in aid distribution, giving Israel direct control—a move widely condemned by international aid groups as it violates core humanitarian principles and is designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a military strategy.
Since early March, Israel has blocked aid to Gaza, worsening a humanitarian crisis. Rights groups stress that Israel uses starvation as a weapon of war.
Israel resumed its bombing campaign on March 18. Over 2,200 Palestinians have been killed and 5,700 wounded, mostly women and children.
Netanyahu’s government rejected recent Hamas offers to release prisoners and continues to pursue what he calls “total victory.”
