Israel laid out its harrowing plan to take Palestinian territories in 2017. Now it is happening | Ofer Cassif

Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich’s vow that Gaza be ‘entirely destroyed’ should surprise no one – he formulated this chilling idea way before 7 October• Ofer Cassif is a member of the Knesset for HadashIsrael’s announcement of a new offensive to “conquer” Gaza, along with claims by Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli minister of finance, that the strip will be “entirely destroyed”, have flustered the international community. Observers may be distressed, disturbed or upset by these plans. But they should come as no surprise. This kind of genocidal ideology has been evident, in Smotrich’s case, since long before 7 October. And opposition voices – including mine – have been warning of the government’s intentions in Gaza since October 2023.These latest actions by the fanatic nationalists in Israel’s government are causing misery to Palestinians, but also to Israelis. The decision of the Israeli cabinet to expand its invasion has terrified the families of Israeli hostages. They have accused Smotrich of promoting his messianic vision on the graves of their loved ones, and Benjamin Netanyahu of hiding information and lying to them about the number of living hostages. Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan, who was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on 7 October, went to the Knesset (the Israeli parliament) this week with a chilling warning: the expansion of military efforts in Gaza will lead to the death of hostages, she said. When she called on army reservists to refuse drafting orders, she was silenced and removed from the platform. Continue reading...

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