Smotrich: It is Just to Kill Two Million People in Gaza if They Do Not Return as Hostages

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated on Monday that "it is impossible to destroy Hamas militarily and civilly without controlling humanitarian aid." He said in a statement, "No one will allow us to starve two million people in Gaza, and it is just to do so as long as they are not hostages." He viewed the proposed deal as unjust and unethical, claiming it would only return a few hostages and endanger Israel's security. He revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed him that Israel would remain in the Philadelphia Corridor. He pointed out that "we are working to eliminate the threat of establishing a Palestinian state by promoting settlement," adding: "A Palestinian state is the surrender of the heart of the country to the Nazis and the next massacre." He emphasized that "complete Israeli control over the territories is the only way to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state," noting that "the attack on October 7 would not have happened if there had been settlement in Gaza, and we will correct the mistakes."