Smotrich: Israel's War on Gaza to End Only with Mass Displacement of Palestinians, Syria Partition

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared that Israel will not end its military campaign in Gaza until several broad objectives are achieved, including the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza to other countries, the dismantling of Syria as a state, the defeat of Hezbollah, and the removal of Iran's nuclear threat. Smotrich stated these goals represent not just the government's position but a national consensus, and urged Prime Minister Netanyahu not to 'miss this opportunity.' Multiple reports note that Israel resumed its assault on Gaza in March, ending a ceasefire, with over 52,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—killed since October 2023. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have sharply deteriorated, with bans on aid and destruction of infrastructure, making the territory increasingly uninhabitable. Smotrich's remarks have intensified concerns about Israel's intentions to pursue forced displacement and regional destabilization. International bodies, including the ICC and ICJ, are investigating Israel for alleged war crimes and genocide related to its conduct in Gaza.