כיכר השבת

Smotrich Vows to Conquer Gaza, Rejects Ceasefire

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared a firm stance on the ongoing conflict, vowing to conquer the Gaza Strip while emphasizing the need for humanitarian efforts. "In 20 years, there will be nothing to look for there," he stated. Smotrich added: "I’m putting myself on the line for this, even though it’s not popular with my base. I’m ready to not be re-elected for the sake of victory." Addressing the Doha talks, Smotrich rejected any pause in the war before achieving two goals: the destruction of Hamas and the return of hostages. He noted that Hamas demands an IDF withdrawal and refuses to disarm, aiming to remain the dominant force in Gaza. "This way, we cannot return to living in the south," he said.