[Salon] Netanyahu Proposes to Annex Parts of Gaza in Attempt to Appease Far-right Minister if Hamas Does Not Agree to a Deal



https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-07-28/ty-article/netanyahu-proposes-to-annex-gaza-in-attempt-to-appease-far-right-minister/00000198-525a-dc50-a9bf-ff7ba06f0000

Netanyahu Proposes to Annex Parts of Gaza in Attempt to Appease Far-right Minister if Hamas Does Not Agree to a Deal 

Chaim LevinsonJul 28, 2025 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to propose to the political-security cabinet a plan to annex areas in the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to keep Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in his government. According to the plan, Israel will declare that it is giving Hamas a few days to agree to a cease-fire, and if not, will begin annexing areas of the Strip. 

The move will be presented to cabinet members following Netanyahu's decision to increase humanitarian aid entering the Strip, which was accepted despite opposition from the Religious Zionism party. According to the plan Netanyahu is expected to present, areas in the buffer zone will be annexed first, followed by areas in the northern Strip adjacent to the Israeli cities of Sderot and Ashkelon. 

The process will continue gradually until the entire Strip is annexed. According to details presented by Netanyahu in talks with ministers, the plan has received approval from the Trump administration. 

According to sources in the political system, Smotrich told Netanyahu in recent days that he will "judge by actions," and that if the annexation plan is implemented, he will "remain in the government for the time being." 

The chairman of Religious Zionism, Smotrich – who has not yet publicly addressed the increase in aid to Gazans – explained why he is not breaking ranks: "We are promoting a good strategic move on which it is not advisable to elaborate at the moment. In a short time, we will know if it is successful and where we are headed." 

He added that, "in war, it is not right to make political considerations. We will be judged by the end result – whether Hamas is defeated or not." Threatening to annex areas in the Strip, alongside statements by many government ministers about the need to establish settlements in Gaza, will put Israel on a collision course with the international community, except for the United States. 

Likely, such a declaration will also open the floodgates for countries to recognize a Palestinian state, after France's recognition announcement last week. It could also lead to the imposition of sanctions on Israel.

Netanyahu was not previously enthusiastic about annexing territories, but in an attempt to save his government, he is willing to consider promoting such a plan. In talks with his ministers, the Prime Minister said that the Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, presented the plan to the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and it enjoys the support of the White House. President Trump, who is currently visiting Scotland, was not present at the meeting.



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