Bezalel Smotrich : Israel will return to whole of Gaza , should erase Oslo Accords

What Happened

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated in a video interview at the 2026 Pulse of Israel Conference on Tuesday that Israel will 'return to the whole of Gaza in a big way,' announcing finalized plans for three Israeli settlements in northern Gaza awaiting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval. Smotrich also called for erasing the Oslo Accords, describing them as a 'disaster' and asserting that Israel must control all West Bank territory for security. The statements come as the IDF reportedly has operational control of around 70% of the Gaza Strip, and a security source told Walla last month that operational control may increase. Meanwhile, Hamas said it has agreed to dissolve its government and transfer Gaza’s administration to the US-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), but diplomatic sources told The Jerusalem Post that the group has created obstacles in negotiations, including backtracking on agreements.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Smotrich’s maximalist vision directly challenges US-backed diplomatic efforts for post-war Gaza governance through the NCAG, potentially entrenching Israeli control and undermining prospects for a Palestinian state. His call to erase the Oslo Accords signals a push for de facto annexation in the West Bank, which would escalate tensions and alter the legal and political framework of the conflict. With the IDF holding 70% operational control of Gaza, settlement plans could prefigure permanent Israeli presence, reshaping the conflict’s trajectory.

Watch For

Netanyahu’s decision on approving the three settlement plans; whether Hamas follows through on transferring power to the NCAG or stalls further; US and international reactions to Smotrich’s statements; any formal Israeli government moves to assert sovereignty over Gaza or alter the Oslo-era administrative divisions in the West Bank; progress or collapse of NCAG negotiations.