The Israeli Political and Security Council approved Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's proposal to recognize 13 new settlements in the West Bank. The cabinet also voted in favor of establishing an authority to "manage emigration from Gaza."

This move, spearheaded by Minister Smotrich within the framework of the Settlement Administration under his responsibility, comes against the backdrop of the approval of tens of thousands of housing units in the West Bank.

Channel 12 quoted Smotrich as saying after the approval, "This is an important step toward annexation and formal sovereignty over the West Bank. We are leading a revolution to realize our dreams of normalizing and legalizing the settlements," he said.

He added, "We have begun taking steps to impose our sovereignty over the West Bank, raised our flag, and begun construction and settlement."

Regarding Gaza, Channel 12 reported that the Israeli cabinet meeting concluded regarding continued military pressure on the Gaza Strip, during which a decision to expand settlements was approved.

In this regard, Israel's Channel 14 reported that the ministers received a briefing on the international dimensions of the immigration plan and how to implement it in accordance with international law.

Earlier, during Knesset discussions, Smotrich announced the establishment of an "immigration department" aimed at implementing US President Donald Trump's plan for the Gaza Strip.

During the discussion, Smotrich confirmed that an immigration department would be established and a budget would be allocated for it. He said, "We need to take the Trump plan with both hands. There is work to be done with the US administration to identify countries and prepare for the establishment of an immigration department in the Defense Ministry. If we remove 5,000 Gazans a day, it will take a year. The logistics are complicated because we need to know who will go to which country. We are preparing for this under the leadership of the prime minister and the defense minister."

He added, "The budget will not stand in the way of this event." According to him, the hatred in the Gaza Strip toward Israel runs so deep that it is impossible to allow Gazans to live so close to the fence. He added, "This is not just another event, but a possibility for historic change."

Settlement Minister and Knesset Member Orit Struck also insisted during the discussion that this was a "voluntary" migration, saying, "There is no way to completely remove the threat from Gaza to Israel except through a voluntary migration program."

She added, "Even if we defeat Hamas as a civilian and military government, as long as we do not allow the majority of the population to emigrate, we will not be able to remove the threat."

US President Donald Trump had proposed displacing Gaza's residents to Jordan and Egypt, turning Gaza into a "Middle Eastern Riviera" under US control. However, the plan met with international opposition, prompting him to back down, asserting that "no one will be forced to leave Gaza." His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said that Trump's goal, through this proposal, was to push the concerned countries to submit proposals and plans regarding Gaza.

Egypt also presented a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, which was approved by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and welcomed by Europe.

Source: Ynet + Channel 12