Israeli army to occupy all Gaza if Hamas does not disarm, Finance minister says

Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Monday that Palestinian group Hamas may soon be given a deadline to lay down its weapons.

“We estimate that in the coming days, Hamas will be given an ultimatum to disarm and completely demilitarize Gaza,” Smotrich said in an interview with public broadcaster Kan.

 “If it does not comply with it, the IDF will have international legitimacy and American backing to do it itself, and the IDF is already preparing for this and is making plans,” said the minister, who is a member of Israel’s security cabinet charged with approving large-scale military operations.