Israeli minister calls for annexation of Gaza if Hamas does not surrender

According to Al Jazeera , at a press conference on August 28, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Israel to annex the Gaza Strip if Hamas forces refuse to disarm.

"If Hamas does not agree to surrender, disarm and release Israeli hostages, Israel will annex part of Gaza every week for a month," Minister Smotrich said.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Photo: Bloomberg.

The statement comes as the Israeli army moves deeper into Gaza City in an effort to occupy the city and displace some 1 million Palestinians living there.

Israel's assault on Gaza City has been strongly condemned. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last week that Israel's offensive in Gaza City would result in more deaths and devastation. Gaza City and surrounding areas continue to suffer from famine.

Earlier, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Gaza's largest city would be destroyed unless Hamas forces accepted Israel's terms to end the conflict.

Minister Katz reiterated Israel's ceasefire conditions, which include the release of all Israeli hostages and Hamas' complete disarming. Hamas, meanwhile, has said it will release Israeli hostages in exchange for an end to the fighting but will not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established.

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