Finance Minister and Cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich called Tuesday for renewed Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip, saying it should be the next phase following the return of hostages from Hamas captivity.
Speaking at hakafot shniyot (second Simchat Torah celebrations) in the southern city of Sderot, Smotrich said, “Out of the immense joy we all experienced today, with the emotional return of all our living hostages, I say again—just as I said here a year ago—there will be no Hamas in Gaza, there will be no threat from Gaza toward Israeli civilians for decades to come. And yes, this too must be said: There will be Jewish settlement in Gaza.”
2 View gallery
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaking at hakafot shniyot in Sderot
(Photo: Sderot Municipality)
Smotrich argued that settlement is essential for long-term security. “Without settlement, there can be no lasting security,” he said. “First, because it is part of the Land of Israel, and second, because only a Jewish presence guarantees that we won’t return to a situation where rockets are fired on Sderot and the south.”
He added, “We have patience, but also determination and faith. With God's help, we will continue this series of victories and the great miracles He has performed for us. The sounds of joy and dancing will be the only sounds heard in Sderot. A good month—of joy, construction, growth, security and settlement.”
Smotrich’s comments came amid criticism of the recently signed agreement with Hamas, which does not include commitments on key Israeli demands such as the disarmament of the group, ongoing Israeli security control in Gaza, or the departure of Hamas leadership abroad. Nor does it reaffirm earlier public Hamas concessions, such as forming a technocratic government in Gaza without Hamas political representation.
His party colleague, National Missions Minister Orit Strock, sharply criticized the deal last week, calling it “Oslo III,” a reference to the 1993 Oslo Accords with the Palestinians, which are controversial in Israel’s right-wing circles. She said the agreement includes unacceptable concessions: “It’s Oslo III in two respects—giving up parts of the Land of Israel, since Gaza is part of it—and transferring security control to foreign hands. When Rabin signed the Oslo Accords, he didn’t know how badly it would fail. To repeat that 30 years later is disgraceful.”
Strock added that some parts of the agreement contradict red lines set by the Security Cabinet. “This is a complete betrayal of the war’s objectives. The withdrawal line has already shifted significantly, and if that happens, it’s a disgrace to our ability to stand firm on future demands.”
Diplomatic uncertainty remains over whether Hamas will honor the terms of the agreement and what the next phase of the ceasefire might look like. Analysts suggest that even if fighting halts entirely, Israel may retain control over large parts of southern and central Gaza—referred to as the “yellow line” zones. Such a scenario could allow right-wing ministers like Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to continue pushing for permanent Israeli military or civilian presence in Gaza, consistent with the vision Smotrich laid out in Sderot.