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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
Politics

Israel’s Smotrich calls for phased Gaza annexation if Hamas does not disarm

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, left, shakes the hand of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, Israel, in January 2023 [File: Ronen Zvulun/pool/EPA]

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for Israel to annex the Gaza Strip if Hamas refuses to disarm, the latest push by an Israeli official to forcibly displace Palestinians and take complete control of the coastal enclave.

During a news conference on Thursday, Smotrich said if Hamas does not agree to surrender, disarm and release Israeli captives, Israel should annex a section of Gaza each week for four weeks.

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