Government to discuss future of Gaza; Smotrich proposes resettlement

On Tuesday, January 2nd, a meeting of the Cabinet of Security and Political Affairs will be held. Israeli politicians will discuss the control over the Gaza Strip after the conclusion of military operations.

Israel Hayom reports that a "consultative meeting" with the narrow war cabinet's representatives will occur before the main meeting. The purpose is to reassure partners in the current coalition who are concerned that radical decisions may be made at the Security Cabinet meeting.

The meeting of the Israeli war cabinet will commence at 19:00, and the session of the Security Cabinet will begin at 21:30.

Finance Minister and leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party Bezalel Smotrich intends to propose a project during the session that involves the "voluntary resettlement" of Gaza residents to other countries with the assistance of an international mechanism for resolving refugee issues. According to Smotrich, this is the only realistic way to ensure the safety of residents of southern Israel.

An additional proposal from Smotrich is to consider the possibility of Jewish settlers returning to Gaza. "The old principle that settlements provide security remains true today," said sources close to the minister.

Netanyahu and Smotrich are united in their opposition to transferring control of the Palestinian Authority. They also agree that the process of Gaza's reconstruction should be linked to demilitarizing the sector. However, the central part of Smotrich's plan is unacceptable to Netanyahu.