Far-right ‘Israeli’ ministers urge Netanyahu to end talks, fully occupy Gaza

Far-right ‘Israeli’ ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt ongoing negotiations with Hamas and instead impose full control over the Gaza Strip.

Speaking at the Knesset, National Security Minister Ben Gvir warned against “reckless deals,” urging Netanyahu to pursue “complete and absolute control” over Gaza.

He also advocated expanding settlement and “sovereignty” efforts in the occupied West Bank.

Finance Minister Smotrich echoed these demands, saying in a social media post that it was time to “permanently shut the door” on any partial deal and order a military invasion of Gaza.

He claimed that only a full occupation would secure the release of 'Israeli' captives or destroy Hamas.

אדוני ראש הממשלה, על רקע סירובו המסתמן של חמאס הגיע העת לסגור את הדלת סופית בפני עסקה חלקית ולהורות לצה"ל להסתער על כיבוש עזה ותכנית ההפרדה ההומניטרית, עד להכנעת חמאס ושחרור כל החטופים ללא תנאי או השמדתו המוחלטת.
הגיע עת ניצחון!

— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) July 23, 2025

Smotrich further pushed what he called a “humanitarian separation plan” to subjugate Hamas and forcibly transfer Palestinians out of Gaza.

This comes one day after Smotrich called for what he termed a “security annexation” of northern Gaza at at a Knesset conference titled “The Gaza Riviera – From Vision to Reality" on Tuesday.

Smotrich said there is a “tremendous opportunity” to begin reestablishing Jewish settlements in the Strip.

He also claimed the US had given a “green light” to transform Gaza into a “Riviera city” following full occupation and displacement of its population, remarks that Washington has not confirmed.

The comments come as indirect ceasefire and captive exchange talks between ‘Israel’ and Hamas continue in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with US support.

These efforts began on July 6 amid growing international pressure to end the war in Gaza.