Smotrich Says Gaza Reconstruction Requires Hamas Disarmament

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on November 10 that reconstruction in Gaza would require Hamas to surrender all its weapons and the territory to be fully demilitarized. He blamed Hamas for the suffering of Gaza’s residents and said the Strip must never again pose a threat to Israel or its citizens. “There will be zero reconstruction in Gaza without the complete disarmament of Hamas and the full demilitarization of the Gaza Strip,” Smotrich said. He alleged that Hamas continued to arm itself and prepare attacks against Israelis while refusing to disarm. He also accused the terrorist organization of violently suppressing Gazans who opposed it and stealing aid and equipment intended for civilians. Smotrich said his reconstruction position had the Board of Peace’s backing. In a November 9 statement, the Board of Peace called for the immediate entry and distribution of shelter, sanitation, drainage and winter supplies following severe flooding. It criticized Israel’s response as insufficient and demanded that Hamas disarm and hand governing authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The Board also said Hamas’s military activity in civilian areas and near Israeli positions endangered civilians, and reaffirmed its responsibility for launching the October 7, 2023 attack. The IDF said on November 9 that more than 91,000 tents and 8,200 trucks carrying winter supplies had entered Gaza since its winter-preparedness plan began. It said the military and COGAT had approved more than 850 winter-related supply requests, roughly half of which the UN and international organizations had yet to fulfill, partly because of logistical and budgetary difficulties. The military said it continued reviewing equipment requests and developing alternatives to address humanitarian needs while reducing diversion risks.