Smotrich Calls for Cancellation of Trump's Plan and the Dismantling of the "Kiryat Gat" Headquarters

SadaNews - On Monday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the cancellation of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan regarding the Gaza Strip, which involves the displacement of Palestinians and the establishment of settlements there.

The Hebrew newspaper "Haaretz" reported Smotrich as saying during the inauguration of a settlement in the occupied West Bank: "It is time to thank President Trump for his immense support for Israel and his good intentions."

He added: "And we should also thank him for his important assistance in the release of hostages (from Gaza). But we must clarify to him that his plan harms Israel and should be canceled."

Smotrich, the leader of the far-right "Religious Zionism" party, claimed that "Gaza is ours, and its future will impact our future more than anyone else."

He continued: "Therefore, we must take responsibility for what is happening there, impose military rule (occupation), and complete the task."

He called for the dismantling of the Civil-Military Coordination Center located in the Kiryat Gat settlement (south) that oversees the implementation of Trump's plan.

Smotrich also urged to "keep hostile countries, like Egypt and Britain, away from the command center," as he put it.

He also called for giving Hamas a short deadline to disarm and withdraw from Gaza.

Daily, Israel violates the ceasefire agreement, which has resulted in the martyrdom of 464 Palestinians, and it prevents the agreed quantities of humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, where about 2.4 million Palestinians live, including 1.5 million displaced individuals, in catastrophic conditions.

Smotrich continued: "When the deadline expires, Israel should forcefully invade Gaza and destroy Hamas militarily and civilly."

He added: "And also reopen the Rafah crossing with or without Egypt's approval, allowing the residents of Gaza to leave the territory (displacement) and seek their future elsewhere."

Smotrich addressed the attendees saying: "We will soon meet at a similar ceremony (settlement inauguration) in the Gaza Strip. And I sincerely hope that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will head the ceremony."

He reiterated his refusal to allow Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar to participate in the "Executive Council of Gaza," formed by Trump, within the structures of transitional governance in the Palestinian territory.

In a tone of reproach, Smotrich asked: "Did we pay all these prices just to transfer Gaza from one enemy to another?"