Smotrich: We intend to occupy Gaza, remain there, and there is no room for withdrawal, even in exchange for prisonersg

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, May 05 (YPA) – The Minister of Finance in the Israeli occupation government, Bezalel Smotrich, escalated his tone, on Sunday, regarding the ongoing military operation in the Gaza Strip, declaring that his government “intends to occupy the Strip and remain there, and not implement a temporary operation as before.”

Smotrich said, during statements, that “the policy of entry and exit is no longer acceptable,” stressing that this is a war for victory, and when the ground incursion begins, there will be no withdrawal from the areas we control, even if it is in exchange for detainees.”

These statements come amid disagreement within the occupation government regarding the goals of the war, at a time when international pressure is increasing to stop the military operations that have caused thousands of civilian casualties in the besieged Strip for more than six months.