Smotrich issues an ultimatum to Hamas: Surrender or full occupation and re-settlement

Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli occupation government's finance minister, has launched a new wave of escalating threats targeting the Palestinian presence in the Gaza Strip. These threats revolve around imposing a full military occupation of the Strip, with efforts to displace residents and rebuild settlements that were evacuated in 2005.

Smotrich claimed in statements made on Monday that Tel Aviv is about to issue what he described as a 'final ultimatum' to the Hamas movement in the near future. This ultimatum includes explicit demands for all the movement's leaders to leave the Strip, and for the complete and unconditional surrender of weapons, headquarters, and tunnels.

The far-right minister threatened to resort to direct and large-scale military action if the movement rejects these demands, claiming that this step would grant Israel 'international legitimacy' for the action. These statements come amidst ongoing field tensions and attempts to impose a new political reality in the region.

Smotrich linked the fate of upcoming military operations to the success or failure of efforts by US President Donald Trump to eliminate Hamas. He affirmed that Israel has not abandoned its declared goal of completely destroying the military and political capabilities of the movement in the Gaza Strip.

The minister revealed the existence of executive plans being developed by the Israeli army aimed at occupying the Strip for long periods and establishing a 'Jewish settlement' in its heart. Observers considered these plans a blatant violation of all international understandings and UN resolutions that reject changing the geographical and demographic status of the Strip.

These threats come at a sensitive time, as Smotrich's rhetoric contradicts the terms of the ceasefire agreement concluded last October. That agreement explicitly stipulated the necessity of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all territories of the Gaza Strip and the start of reconstruction operations.

Despite a long time passing since the agreement, field sources confirm that the occupation forces have not withdrawn from their vital positions in the Strip to date. In contrast, the Hamas movement adheres to its position of refusing to surrender weapons, considering this issue an internal Palestinian matter that the occupation has no right to interfere with.

Smotrich's statements were not limited to the Gaza Strip but extended to include the occupied West Bank through renewing his calls to encourage 'voluntary emigration'. This approach, according to his statements, aims to reduce the Palestinian presence and prevent the establishment of any independent Palestinian state in the future.

These extremist positions reflect the extent of influence enjoyed by the right-wing current within Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition. This government is racing against time to expand the settlement project in all Palestinian territories since the outbreak of the widespread confrontation on October 7, 2023.

Analysts believe that Smotrich's statements aim to embarrass international parties and pressure the US administration to adopt the vision of the Israeli right. They also exacerbate the state of tension in the Palestinian street, which rejects plans for forced displacement and permanent occupation.

Amidst these threats, the scene in Gaza remains open to all possibilities, especially with the occupation government's insistence on proceeding with its settlement policy. Fears are growing that these policies will further ignite the situation in the region, threatening any future opportunities for calm or stability.

We will soon issue a final ultimatum to the Hamas movement, which includes the departure of its leaders and the surrender of all weapons, headquarters, and tunnels.