Smotrich Ready to Establish Three New Settlements in Northern Gaza Envelope Pending Netanyahu Approval

During a meeting in Sderot with Mayor Alon Davidi on Monday evening, Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the Settlement Administration at the Ministry of Defense, which he leads, has completed the preparatory work to establish three new settlements in the northern Gaza envelope. Smotrich stated that construction can begin immediately once Prime Minister Netanyahu grants political approval. He urged Netanyahu to give the green light to "complete the mission and restore real security to the residents of the south."

Smotrich emphasized that the Israel Defense Forces currently control nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip and called for completing the conquest of the remaining territory, defeating Hamas, and creating a belt of Jewish settlements to serve as a security buffer for Sderot and the surrounding communities. He stressed, "Where there is no settlement, there is no security," and vowed not to return to the situation before October 7.

Mayor Alon Davidi expressed gratitude to the Finance Minister for his support of the Gaza envelope communities and recalled encouraging Smotrich to continue fighting until the threat to Sderot and the surrounding area is removed. Davidi said this is the minimum required for residents to live in security.