Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly has the backing of the Trump administration to begin annexing parts of the Gaza Strip if Hamas doesn't agree to a ceasefire proposal, local outlet Haaretz reported on Monday.
The move, the outlet added, seeks to keep far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in Netanyahu's coalition, which is on shaky ground. The move is set to be presented to cabinet members following the approval of increasing aid flowing into the enclave.
The first areas to be annexed would be those in the buffer zone, followed by some in the northern part close to the cities of Sderot and Ashkelon. It would continue progressively until the whole strip is annexed. It is not clear what would happen to the two million Palestinians living in Gaza.
Smotrich reportedly told Netanyahu he will "judge by actions" and if the annexation is conducted he will "remain in the government for the time being." "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 said when consulted about the increase in aid.
The report comes just days after Trump said that the most recent collapse of ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas has gotten to a point where the former will have to "finish the job" in Gaza.
"Hamas doesn't really want to make a deal. I think they want to die," Trump told press outside the White House last Friday. "We got a lot of hostages out. Now we are down to the final hostages and they know what happens after you get the final hostages. Because of that they really didn't want to make a deal. They're going to have to fight and clean it up, get rid of them," Trump added.
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