Israeli finance minister calls for building settlements near Gaza amid ongoing Israeli offensive

Israeli finance minister calls for building settlements near Gaza amid ongoing Israeli offensive Submitted by MEE staff on Sun, 08/02/2026 - 13:38 Bezalel Smotrich's proposal comes as Israeli strikes kill more Palestinians and US prepares additional military support A displaced Palestinian sits outside tents after an Israeli air strike struck the medical supplies warehouse at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, 1 August 2026 (Eyad Baba/AFP) Off Israel 's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotr