Israeli Minister Threatens to Annex Gaza if Hamas Refuses to Surrender

Jerusalem, August 29, 2025: Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has warned that the Gaza Strip will be annexed to Israel if the Palestinian militant group Hamas does not surrender its weapons. The far-right minister, known for opposing negotiations with Hamas, called on the Israeli government to implement this plan during a press conference in Jerusalem on Thursday.[

Smotrich outlined a strategy to “win in Gaza by the end of the year,” proposing an ultimatum for Hamas to surrender, disarm, and release hostages held since the October 2023 attack that sparked the ongoing war. If Hamas refuses, Smotrich suggested annexing a section of Gaza each week for four weeks, bringing most of the territory under Israeli control. The plan involves directing Palestinians to move south, followed by a siege on Gaza’s northern and central areas to eliminate remaining Hamas fighters, culminating in annexation. Smotrich urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt the plan immediately. Hamas condemned the proposal, labeling it an “open endorsement of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing.” Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza have killed over 63,000 Palestinians and injured more than 159,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Additionally, 322 Palestinians, including 121 children, have died due to starvation caused by Israel’s blockade. Smotrich, a staunch supporter of the settler movement who lives in an illegal West Bank settlement, also recently authorized a major settlement project in the E1 area east of Jerusalem, which critics say undermines the possibility of a future Palestinian state.

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