Dr. Suhail Diab: The movement represented by Smotrich does not only reject the Palestinian state, but also seeks to liquidate the Palestinian cause entirely.

Fayez Abbas: Smotrich is convinced that the White House will continue to support Israel in any decision it takes regarding Gaza, which is what makes him promote Trump’s plan

Daoud Kuttab: Those who threaten with words often back down in action, but the danger of Smotrich’s statements is that they provide political and legal cover for the settlers.

Dr. Amjad Bashkar: Smotrich continues to implement his old plan to “resolve the conflict” with the Palestinians, which is based on annexation, settlement, and displacement

Antoine Shalhat: Smotrich's statements highlight the similarity between the Israeli and American positions and indicate Israel's insistence on resuming the war this year

Yasser Manna: Israel believes that the humanitarian disaster in Gaza may exacerbate living pressures, which may push some residents to seek emigration

Ramallah - Exclusive to Al-Quds

The statements of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich about “turning Gaza into hell” reflect a comprehensive strategy aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause through displacement and annexation, especially since they coincide with a field escalation in the West Bank, in the context of re-engineering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict according to religious dreams.

In separate interviews with “Y,” writers, political analysts, specialists, and political science professors believe that Smotrich, who represents the extremist religious movement in Israel, seeks to reformulate the conflict with the Palestinians on religious grounds, relying on unconditional American support to achieve his expansionist goals.

They point out that these statements come in the context of the rising influence of the extreme Israeli right, which is working to impose new facts on the ground, whether in the West Bank through expanding settlements, or in Gaza by threatening a comprehensive war.

Three main angles for reading Smotrich's statements

Dr. Suhail Diab, a professor of political science and expert on Israeli affairs, believes that the statements of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich about “turning Gaza into hell” must be read from three basic angles: political timing, internal messages in Israel, and electoral dimensions. He stressed that his speech reflects the rising influence of the Talmudic religious right in Israel and its efforts to impose its vision of the ongoing conflict.

Diab explains that Smotrich's statements come before his visit to the United States, where he enjoys the support of the far-right movement within the Trump administration, which has given increasing legitimacy to Talmudic religious movements in Israel.

He believes that the US Treasury Secretary's invitation to Smotrich reflects this trend, as the interests of the Israeli political and economic right converge with the Christian Zionist religious right in the United States, indicating an international alliance that reinforces these policies.

Diab believes that Smotrich's speech is not only directed at the Israeli domestic audience, but also seeks to consolidate alliances with extremist religious movements in the West, especially in the United States and Europe, where the power of Christian Zionist movements is growing.

He believes that Smotrich is trying to redefine the identity of the Israeli right, stressing that being “politically or economically right-wing” is no longer enough, but rather this right must be fundamentally linked to an extremist religious theological vision, based on the idea of “Greater Israel” from the sea to the river, and even extending to areas in Syria and Iraq within what is called “David’s Corridor.”

Diab points out that Smotrich seeks to establish this vision within Israeli society, and to reformulate the conflict with the Palestinians on purely religious grounds, so that it becomes a “zero-sum conflict” in which there is no room for compromise, but rather an existential battle between Israelis and Palestinians.

Diab explains that Smotrich's statements about Gaza have a clear electoral dimension, especially in light of the competition between him and former Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, for the votes of the extreme right.

Diab points out that Smotrich, who previously focused on settlements in the West Bank, is now trying to expand his discourse to include Gaza, exploiting Ben Gvir's declining popularity and his exit from the government to strengthen his position in the opinion polls, as he has not yet been able to exceed the electoral threshold in the upcoming elections.

According to Diab, the political scene in Israel is witnessing major transformations, as there is a broad consensus among various movements, whether right-wing or even some left-wing movements, that a Palestinian state will not be established in any form.

Diab points out that the most extreme current, represented by Smotrich, does not only reject the Palestinian state, but seeks to liquidate the Palestinian cause entirely, even if that requires mass displacement or genocide. This current is based on a religious vision that considers that the solution must be radical and final, far from any political solutions.

Diab believes that the liberal movement in Israel, which supported political solutions such as the Camp David and Oslo Accords, is in a state of significant decline and no longer represents a strong alternative within Israeli society.

Diab asserts that the extremist religious movement derives its strength from two main factors during the past year: changes in international politics, especially with Trump’s return to power, and the war on Gaza, where the extremist Talmudic movement exploits the presence of religious resistance factions in Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen to justify the escalation of religious discourse within Israel, considering that the conflict is between “religious forces” on both sides, which requires strengthening religious parties in Israel to confront them.

Diab points out that the changes in Syria also serve the interests of this movement, as he believes that regional transformations support the rise of extremist religious movements in Israel, at the expense of liberal and secular movements.

Diab warns that the continued dominance of the Talmudic religious movement could have disastrous consequences for Israel itself, as it would lead to international isolation, a decline in investments, and Israel’s transformation into a third world country, especially if the internal balance between the various political movements is eliminated.

Diab explains that the rise of this trend will affect the political and economic stability of Israel, stressing that its repercussions will not be limited to the Palestinians only, but will be reflected on the entire Israeli society.

Smotrich is behind many crimes and violations

The writer and expert on Israeli affairs, Fayez Abbas, explains that the recent statements made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in which he parroted US President Donald Trump’s threats to open “hellfire” on the Gaza Strip, are not new, but they come in a context of repeated threats by the leaders of the Israeli occupation who continue to threaten to inflict more destruction on the besieged Strip.

Abbas asserts that Smotrich, who also serves as a minister in the Ministry of Security, is behind many of the crimes and violations committed in the occupied West Bank, where settlers carry out daily attacks against Palestinians with official support, with the aim of turning their lives into hell and pushing them towards “voluntary migration,” an idea that has been increasingly discussed in Israeli circles since October 7, 2023.

He points out that Smotrich, who belongs to the religious Zionist movement, is clearly seeking to achieve his settlement goals by escalating the war against Gaza, in parallel with intensifying settlement in the West Bank.

Abbas asserts that Smotrich is convinced that the White House will continue to support Israel in any decision it takes regarding Gaza, which is what makes him promote Trump’s plan, which aims to displace the residents of the Strip and establish a huge investment project called the “Trumpian Riviera.”

Abbas explains that Smotrich's recent statements reveal a clear trend among the extreme Israeli right, which has two main goals in mind: tightening settlement in the West Bank, and working to empty the Gaza Strip of its population in order to restore Israeli control over it.

Abbas confirms that these policies come within the vision of the religious Zionist movement, which has become more influential on the strategic decisions of the current Israeli government.

Regarding the ongoing negotiations on the prisoner exchange deal and its second phase, Abbas explained that Smotrich continues to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, threatening to topple his government if he goes ahead with implementing the second phase of the deal, which includes the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip.

Abbas points out that the extremist minister is seeking to impose his agenda, as he has so far succeeded in pushing Netanyahu to back down from his previous commitments, despite the Israeli government signing an agreement stipulating withdrawal from the Strip after implementing the second phase of the deal.

Abbas stressed that Smotrich's statements reflect a dangerous trend within the Israeli government, based on military and settlement escalation, in light of unconditional American support, which portends more tension and escalation in the region.

Imposing new facts on the ground through violence and settlement

Writer and political analyst Daoud Kuttab warns of the danger of Smotrich’s statements regarding the Gaza Strip, stressing that his threats, although they may not actually come true, give settlers a sense of legal protection, which increases the pace of their attacks in the occupied West Bank.

Writers explain that those who threaten verbally often back down in action, but the danger of Smotrich's statements lies in providing political and legal cover for extremist settlers, who exploit these threats to continue their attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.

Writers confirm that this trend reflects the policy of the extreme Israeli right, which seeks to impose new facts on the ground through violence and settlement.

Regarding the potential escalation in the Gaza Strip, writers point out that the threats issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz face internal and external difficulties that hinder their implementation.

The writers explain that internally, the families of the Israeli prisoners realize that any new war could mean endangering the lives of their sons held by the Palestinian resistance. Externally, US President Donald Trump’s policy has been based on reducing wars, which makes it difficult to justify any new aggression on Gaza, especially in light of Hamas’ commitment to the terms of the ceasefire.

Writers point out that the recent talk about Gaza, especially in Trump’s statements, stirred up the stagnant Arab waters, stressing that the future of the Strip requires intensive Arab and international effort.

He stresses that any serious move must begin by addressing the situation in Gaza, before talking about a comprehensive political solution that includes the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The writers point out that reforming the Palestinian leadership has become an urgent necessity, especially in light of the release of a large number of national leaders in recent exchange deals. The writers explain that these leaders, who have a clean record and extensive political experience, may play a prominent role in rebuilding the Palestinian political system, by enabling the young generation to assume responsibility.

Writers point out that the Fatah movement may witness a major transformation if the imprisoned leader Marwan Barghouti is released, as he is considered one of the most prominent figures capable of bringing about real change in the Palestinian political arena, by adopting a more democratic and reformist approach within the movement.

Netanyahu's government is heading towards further escalation

Political science professor Dr. Amjad Bashkar warns that the Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, is heading towards further escalation, in light of internal Israeli pressures and threats to return to war in the Gaza Strip, which Bashkar considers an attempt to get out of the crises plaguing the ruling coalition, noting that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is continuing to implement his old plan to "resolve the conflict" with the Palestinians, which is based on annexation, settlement and displacement, which is consistent with his recent statements.

Bashkar explains that Smotrich, who represents the hard base of the far right, seeks to impose final solutions to the conflict instead of managing it as was the case in previous years.

Bashkar asserts that Smotrich's repeated statements about returning to war are part of his and Netanyahu's strategy to subdue the Palestinian resistance and extend the first phase of the existing agreement, rather than being actual threats.

"We may witness limited military operations, but a full return to war is still a risky option, especially since the Israeli military establishment is fully aware that continuing the war will not achieve what Israel failed to achieve over 16 months of fighting," Bashkar says.

Bashkar points out that Netanyahu's threats of escalation come in the context of political maneuvering to escape the obligations contained in the interim agreement, which Israel signed under the auspices of the mediators, and which stipulates moving to the second and then third stages, which effectively means the end of the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Strip.

"Netanyahu, who has violated the agreement more than 950 times, is trying to impose a new agreement with more favorable terms for him, to ensure the continuation of his government and his political survival," Bashkar says.

He warns that Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court as a war criminal, continues to commit new crimes by cutting off humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, in a blatant violation of all international laws and norms.

"Even in times of war, humanitarian aid must not be touched, but Israel does so openly, in an attempt to pressure the Palestinian resistance," says Bashkar.

Regarding the West Bank, Bashkar asserts that Smotrich’s so-called “decisive plan,” which dates back to 2017, aims to impose full Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, through expanding settlements and annexing Area C, which constitutes more than 60% of the West Bank.

Bashkar explains that this plan includes the systematic displacement of Palestinians through home demolitions, land confiscation, and economic strangulation, in an attempt to push Palestinians towards forced migration.

Bashkar points out that Israel aims to change the geographical reality of the Palestinian camps, by demolishing many homes inside the camps, to strike the symbolism of the camps, with what they carry of symbolism for the rights of refugees and the right of return.

Bashkar asserts that the Israeli government is using internal and regional tensions to intensify its settlement activity and create new facts on the ground, which poses an existential threat to the Palestinian Authority, so that it will not have a real role in the areas in which it is supposed to exercise its powers according to the Oslo Agreement.

"The Authority faces the risk of dismantling in light of these policies, which also aim to empty the areas adjacent to Palestinian cities of their residents, through escalating settler attacks with direct government support," Bashkar says.

Bashkar points out that the pressures on the Palestinians in the coming period are not limited to the West Bank, but extend to Gaza, where Israel is trying to impose a new reality through a limited military escalation, which may be a prelude to a wider war.

"Netanyahu and his allies want to renew the aggression on Gaza, with the aim of recovering the Israeli prisoners, despite their awareness that this will not lead to different results than before," Bashkar said.

Bashkar believes that “next week will be decisive in the negotiations between the resistance and the occupation, especially with the visit of the US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, to the region, but in light of the Israeli escalation, the coming days may witness greater tensions in the West Bank, especially in the villages and camps that are facing unprecedented settlement pressure.”

Excess power in light of unlimited American support for Israel

Antoine Shalhat, a writer and political analyst specializing in Israeli affairs, explains that Smotrich's statements about "opening a war of hell" on the Gaza Strip reflect the excess power he feels in light of the US administration's unlimited support for Israel.

Shalhat asserts that Smotrich's statements represent an attempt on his part to justify the continuation of the war on Gaza, despite the victims and the great destruction caused by the Israeli military operations there.

Shalhat points out that Israel has already carried out the war of hell in Gaza, and that Smotrich's statements are a threat to continue what Israel has done in Gaza, especially in light of the war that has been going on for more than a year and a half, explaining that Israel seeks to eliminate the Palestinian resistance battalions and destroy the military infrastructure that it considers a threat.

Shalhat believes that Smotrich's statements, which come at a sensitive time, highlight the complete identification between the Israeli and American positions, and indicate that Israel is determined to resume the war in 2025.

He points out that Israel, led by the Netanyahu government, is adopting a continuing war scenario throughout this year, even if the intensity of combat operations varies.

Shalhat explains that Israel sees itself in a state of constant war, whether through limited military operations or a comprehensive escalation.

Shalhat believes that this perception was a point of contention between the Israeli government and the American administration in the past, but now it seems that the relationship between the two sides has completely changed, especially after the current American administration reached unprecedented support for Israel.

Shalhat explains that Smotrich's speech and statements about the West Bank and Gaza Strip must be understood in the context of the great American support that Israel has received from the current American administration, which no longer hesitates to support the Israeli positions regarding the ceasefire and the prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.

Shalhat points out that the US administration has not put forward any alternative plans for the “day after” in Gaza, after the end of military operations, except for Trump’s plan, which calls for the displacement of the residents of Gaza, which reflects America’s orientations, which are now moving away from traditional solutions such as the two-state solution.

Shalhat points out that Trump had proposed the two-state solution in his first term, but over time he backed away from this position and was no longer convinced of it as he was in the past.

Shalhat explains that despite the Biden administration’s declaration of its commitment to the two-state solution, there is a tangible decline in this direction in light of its broad support for Israeli policies.

Speaking about the Israeli military future, Shalhat confirms that the current scene remains vague, stressing that what is clear in this scene is the complete American bias towards Israel, which has been clearly reflected in Israeli policy during the current government’s term.

Shalhat believes that what is happening in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is closely linked to US support for Israel, which gives the green light to Israeli ministers like Smotrich to make extremist and reckless statements.

Regarding Israeli military operations in the West Bank, Shalhat explains that the future can be inferred from the escalation of military operations in the northern West Bank, which began on January 21, 2025 under what is known as “Operation Iron Wall.”

Shalhat explains that these military operations are considered the largest in more than 20 years, as Israeli tanks entered the West Bank for the first time since Operation Defensive Shield in 2002.

He points out that these operations have been reinforced by forces from the Nahal Brigade and the Duvdevan units, and that tanks have been sent, which reflects a major escalation in military operations.

Shalhat explains that the Israeli army forced about 40,000 Palestinians to leave the Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps, and issued orders to remain in the area for at least a year in order to prevent the return of Palestinians to the camps.

Shalhat explains that the occupation operations in the West Bank, along with plans to displace the Palestinian population, are part of a new Israeli strategy aimed at dismantling the Palestinian military structures in these areas, as it is also trying to do in the Gaza Strip.

Shalhat points out that future scenarios related to both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank relate to escalating military operations and expanding the scope of the war.

He points out that Israel may continue to use military operations as a means to achieve its security and political goals in the region, including continued settlement and annexation of lands in the West Bank.

Shalhat believes that the current situation requires more Arab and international efforts to control the Israeli escalation, and that the Israeli military escalation will continue as long as there is unconditional American support for Israel in these policies.

Smotrich's statements are in line with current Israeli policy

The writer and expert on Israeli affairs, Yasser Manna, confirms that what was stated in the statements is consistent with the current Israeli policy towards the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which follows a simultaneous approach but with different methods, as Israel seeks to reshape the Palestinian geographical and political scene by escalating the situation in both regions.

Regarding the West Bank, Manna points out that settler attacks are increasing with the aim of imposing more control over the land and changing the equations of the Palestinian existence. These attacks are accompanied by expanded settlements that lead to increased pressure on the Palestinians there. In contrast, the occupation deals with the Gaza Strip differently, as a tight siege is imposed with threats of military escalation against the Strip.

Manaa stresses that this military and political pressure comes within the framework of reshaping the power equations in Gaza, and establishing a new reality that the occupation seeks to establish, which may make it difficult to change in the future.

Manaa points out that the next phase may witness more pressure on the Palestinian side, as Israel aims to force the Palestinians to make political concessions in the second phase negotiations. This pressure includes Israel’s attempts to recover the largest number of Israeli prisoners in an exchange deal with Hamas, as well as pressure on Gaza by imposing an additional blockade that includes preventing the entry of basic materials, such as food, fuel and medical supplies, in addition to additional restrictions on building materials, which exacerbates the humanitarian situation in the Strip.

He explains that Israel may resort to a "fight without war" scenario, which includes targeted assassinations or limited military incursions into Gaza, without returning to the method of large-scale war that the Strip previously witnessed.

But, as Manaa asserts, there is ambiguity regarding Israel's readiness to confront the second phase of its plans in Gaza, in light of the absence of a clear vision on its part regarding the "day after" in the Strip.

Manaa points out that Israel believes that the humanitarian disaster in Gaza may lead to an exacerbation of living pressures, which may push some residents to seek emigration outside the Gaza Strip.

Manaa believes that this may be part of a long-term strategy aimed at changing the demographic reality in the Strip, which contributes to strengthening the Israeli policy seeking to bring about demographic changes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.