Israeli finance minister calls for settlements near Gaza

Israeli finance minister calls for settlements near Gaza Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday called for the construction of three new Israeli settlements along the northern fence of Gaza. The statement comes as Israeli military attacks continue in Gaza and the occupied West Bank despite a ceasefire agreement announced in October. Smotrich, who heads Israel's Settlements Administration, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the plan in a post on X. Israelis are "returning" to settlements evacuated in 2005, Smotrich said, adding that Israel would establish additional settlements in the occupied West Bank. Read more: Israeli finance minister calls for building settlements near Gaza amid ongoing Israeli offensive