Far-right Israeli ministers blast US peace envoys, push for military rule in Gaza
Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have sharply criticized U.S. peace envoys and called for imposing military rule in Gaza, opposing the planned reopening of the Rafah crossing and any arrangement that avoids direct Israeli control.
Senior far-right ministers in Israel’s government have launched fierce criticism against U.S. mediators involved in Gaza ceasefire and post-war discussions, while advocating for the imposition of full Israeli military rule over the territory. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Jewish Power party, dismissed U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner as “naive” during a Security Cabinet meeting on Sunday.
Opposition to Rafah Crossing Reopening
Ben-Gvir argued that reopening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt—a step Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conditionally agreed to—would be “a big mistake and a very bad message.” He insisted that Israel’s goal must remain the complete dismantling and disarmament of Hamas. The crossing was supposed to reopen in October under the initial ceasefire but has remained closed by Israel, which links its opening to the recovery of a soldier’s remains.
Calls for Military Rule and Rejection of Palestinian Authority
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, head of the Religious Zionism party, warned that failing to establish Israeli military rule in Gaza would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state. “If we do not control there with military rule—the meaning is that we will get a Palestinian state,” he claimed. Other ministers, including Orit Strock and Miri Regev, echoed the sentiment, rejecting any scenario where Gaza is governed by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. The discussion followed Netanyahu’s review of the U.S.-backed plan with Kushner and Witkoff, a plan facing considerable opposition within his coalition.
Background of the Conflict
The political debate unfolds after a war that has killed more than 71,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 171,000 since October 2023. Hamas has rejected demands to surrender its weapons, offering instead to “store or freeze” them, maintaining its stance as a resistance movement against what the UN recognizes as Israel’s occupation. The UN estimates Gaza’s reconstruction will cost approximately $70 billion.
Advertisement
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.