Smotrich: Occupation of Rafah and Control Over Its Crossing and Philadelphi Axis

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich pointed out that "the move to Cairo is a mistake and a trap set by Hamas in collaboration with Qatar and Egypt," demanding "the occupation of Rafah and the acquisition of its crossing and the Philadelphi Axis." Smotrich stated via the "X" platform: "This is the right time to pressure the neck of Sinwar and Hamas even more until they are eliminated." He continued: "We must not succumb to international pressures and must not stop until victory and the enemy's surrender. This war is our war of independence, and we must win it." He concluded: "To achieve this and cut off the oxygen supply to Hamas, we need to act today based on three points that restore security to the residents of the south: the total occupation of the city and the Rafah area, the destruction of all tunnel networks in the city of Rafah and the surrounding area, and the complete acquisition of the Philadelphi Axis and Rafah crossing."