Bezalel Smotrich Proposes Three New Settlements in Northern Gaza

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced on Monday that the Settlements Administration has finalized plans to establish three Israeli settlements in the northern Gaza Strip. Smotrich stated that the staff work is complete and implementation can begin immediately once Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu grants approval.

During a visit to southern Israel, Smotrich argued that creating a belt of Jewish settlements is necessary to provide a security buffer for Sderot and other border communities. He asserted that the Israel Defense Forces currently control nearly 70 percent of the Gaza Strip's territory.

The announcement coincided with local tension. Smotrich's scheduled visit to Kibbutz Be’eri was canceled following protests from hostages' families, triggered by claims Smotrich made regarding his personal role in the Israel-Hamas War and the recovery of hostages.