Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for ‘utter destruction’ in Rafah

Israel’s Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, called for the “utter destruction” of Rafah and other areas in Gaza and described the ongoing negotiations with Israel’s adversaries as “absurd” while speaking at a celebration event hosted by Rabbi Shahar Botzhak from Ofakim on Monday evening.

Smotrich’s statements came days after he threatened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said the Israeli government “has no right to exist” unless it invades Rafah.

On Tuesday, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel will invade Rafah “with or without a hostage deal”. More than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians are currently sheltered in Rafah, after Israel’s attacks of the Gaza Strip forced them out of their homes and other places of refuge.

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