Israeli Ministers Demand Gaza Demilitarization Before IDF Withdrawal

Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Struck have sent a strong letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding a public clarification that Israel will not permit any reconstruction, entry of foreign forces, or withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip until full demilitarization of the entire territory is achieved. The appeal follows the presentation of a "Peace Council" plan at the UN General Assembly last week, which the ministers claim directly contradicts agreements with the United States and promotes a phased, regional "road map." According to the letter, the proposed plan includes 66 immediate reconstruction projects totaling $2.45 billion, the deployment of up to 5,000 multinational forces (ISF) in Rafah with funding for their armament, and a gradual IDF withdrawal in favor of a new Palestinian government. The ministers warn that this framework bypasses a cabinet decision allowing only 200 ISF troops for demilitarization roles, ignores Hamas's continued armament and attacks, and permits the arming of forces under the Palestinian Authority's auspices. They also emphasized that Israel will not allow any reconstruction in areas near Gaza border communities. "We cannot leave these serious matters without a public and unequivocal Israeli clarification that completely rejects the regional phased approach," the ministers concluded.