Israel's Smotrich Calls for Reduction of Half of Gaza’s Population

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday reiterated his call for the occupation of the Gaza Strip and suggested reducing its Palestinian population "by half within two years," raising concerns about similar underlying plans.

Speaking at a conference organized by the Yesha Council, which represents Israeli municipalities in the West Bank, Smotrich stated, "It is possible to create a situation where Gaza’s population will be cut down to half its current size in two years." 

He added, "It won’t cost too much money. Even if it does, we should not be afraid to pay for it."

While Smotrich's calls for Gaza's occupation are not new, they reflect the unspoken goals of the ongoing war, which include a prolonged occupation, military rule, and the reconstruction of settlements. The Israeli government claims that the objectives of the Gaza war are the "elimination of Hamas" and the "return of captives." However, developments in Tel Aviv and the Gaza Strip do not support these assertions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet announced a plan for the post-war phase in Gaza, where Israel is working to deepen its control, expand the territories it holds, and establish permanent military outposts.

Meanwhile, Smotrich's remarks indicated that the minister is preparing a budget for the occupation of Gaza. He expressed, "Occupying Gaza is not a dirty word." He went on to say, "If the cost of security control is 5 billion shekels ($1.37 billion), I will accept it with open arms. If that is what it takes to ensure the security of Israel, then so be it."

He appears to be addressing concerns raised by members of Israel’s security establishment and Treasury officials, who have warned about the significant implications that occupying Gaza would have on Israel’s economy. Smotrich insisted that the only way to defeat Hamas is to replace its governing capabilities in Gaza and stated that Israel is the only entity capable of doing so, even if it necessitates the Israeli Army managing the civilian affairs of Palestinians in Gaza.

Smotrich claimed that once the success of "encouraged migration" in Gaza is demonstrated, it could be replicated in the West Bank, where another three million Palestinians reside. As chairman of the Religious Zionism party, he has long advocated for the annexation of large portions of the West Bank and declared earlier this month that the election of US President-elect Donald Trump presents an opportunity to realize that vision.

Smotrich was among several government ministers who attended an event last month advocating for the reestablishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza. Prior to the conference, he remarked that territory relinquished by Israel in the past had turned into "Iranian forward terror bases," endangering the country.

However, whether Smotrich can successfully reoccupy and rebuild settlements in Gaza depends on how the ongoing conflict in the Strip concludes for many Israelis. In an article published by The Times of Israel, Eran Hildesheim accused Smotrich of attempting to convince the public of a new narrative: if Israel achieves its goals in the war and defeats its enemies, peace and security will return to the region. Hildesheim asserted that this narrative primarily aims to prepare public opinion for the continuation of the war, while simultaneously promoting the vision of rebuilding settlements in Gaza.

According to Hildesheim, "The end of the war, as Smotrich put it, implies a large land seizure in the Gaza Strip." In the initial phase, the minister indicated that the army would distribute food to the population. Later, Smotrich plans to implement full military rule, directly managing the lives of the Palestinian population, with the ultimate goal of rebuilding settlements in the Gaza Strip.

Hildesheim wrote, "Smotrich's vision places an unbearably heavy financial burden on Israel." He estimated that such a plan would cost about NIS 20 billion per year, excluding the costs of rebuilding the Strip. 

He further noted that since the state does not currently have this amount, Israel would consequently be forced to adopt an "economy based on God’s help" to navigate this situation peacefully.