Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has urged Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the construction of three new Israeli settlements in northern Gaza.
Smotrich announced on X that the Settlements Administration stands prepared to establish the sites. He also outlined plans to build additional settlements in the occupied West Bank, including points in northern Samaria, Mount Ebal and the Dothan Valley.
The proposal comes despite the 2005 disengagement plan under former PM Ariel Sharon, which dismantled all Israeli settlements in Gaza and four in the occupied West Bank.
The announcement coincides with continued military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The Gaza health ministry reported six Palestinians killed and 23 wounded over a 24-hour period, bringing the reported casualties since October 2023 to 73,356 killed and 174,185 wounded.
Local reports indicated the daily toll rose to at least 11 following an air strike in Deir al-Balah.
The Israeli military confirmed targeted strikes in Gaza, stating it killed Hamas commanders Salem Jamal Abdelrahman Abu Labad and Muhammad Abdelnasser Muhammad Khatib.
Diplomatic developments remain stalled following United States (US) President Donald Trump’s announcement of an agreement to disarm Gaza armed groups. Hamas stated that faction disarmament relies on the US and Israel meeting commitments from last year’s ceasefire.
