- Two ‘Israeli’ officials urge permanent control over Gaza, contradicting Trump’s plan.
- Discussions include forced displacement, security control, and settlement expansion.
On Monday, two ‘Israeli’ ministers publicly called for a permanent occupation of the Gaza Strip, a position that contradicts US President Donald Trump’s plan stating that “’Israel’ will not occupy or annex Gaza.”
Calls for occupation
The remarks came during a Knesset conference titled “Gaza – The Next Day,” according to right-wing ‘Israeli’ Channel 7.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin of the Likud party said: “We need to be in Gaza, and across all of ‘Israel’, first and foremost, because this is our land,” using language that echoes longstanding ‘Israeli’ claims over Palestinian territories.
Simcha Rothman, a member of the far-right Religious Zionist party, added: “Control of the Gaza Strip must remain in ‘Israel’s’ hands.”
Channel 7 reported that the discussions focused on issues including forced Palestinian migration from Gaza, continued ‘Israeli’ security control, and disarming the territory.
Ongoing violations and humanitarian crisis
Despite agreeing publicly to Trump’s plan, which included a phased ‘Israeli’ withdrawal and international stabilization forces, some ‘Israeli’ officials continue to advocate occupation, expulsion of Palestinians, and establishment of settlements.
Since October 8, 2023, ‘Israel’ launched a genocidal war on Gaza, lasting two years, killing more than 71,000 Palestinians and wounding over 171,000, mostly women and children.
Although the first phase of a ceasefire based on Trump’s plan began on October 10, ‘Israel’ continues daily violations, resulting in 442 deaths and 1,236 injuries.
The blockade also restricts food, medicine, and shelter supplies, leaving about 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza living in dire conditions.
