By SCM Staff Writer
ISRAEL’S firebrand Finance Minister has sensationally rejected Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, branding it a “bad deal” and calling for total Israeli military occupation of the Strip.
In a move that threatens to blow a hole in the U.S. President’s “Phase 2″ roadmap, Bezalel Smotrich declared that Gaza belongs to Israel and must be cleared of foreign influence.
Speaking at the inauguration of a new settlement in the West Bank today, January 19, 2026, the hardline minister launched a blistering attack on the international leaders tapped to help govern the war-torn territory.
‘NO DIFFERENCE’
Smotrich took aim at Turkey’s President Erdogan and the Gulf state of Qatar, both of whom have been linked to the proposed post-war administration.
”Erdogan is Sinwar. Qatar is Hamas,” Smotrich thundered. “When you look at the identities of those appointed to govern Gaza, there is no difference in their aspiration to destroy the State of Israel.”
The outspoken minister demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “correct the sin” of Israel’s 2005 withdrawal from Gaza and replace the U.S.-backed plan with “full Israeli control.”
TRUMP TROUBLE
The outburst comes as President Trump’s administration attempts to move into the second phase of its peace mission, which involves reconstruction and a transitional “Board of Peace” featuring regional powers.
But Smotrich — a key powerbroker in the Israeli coalition — says the plan is a “surrender” that would leave Israel “waiting for the next round” of war.
He has instead proposed:
TOTAL MILITARY RULE over Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
FORCED EXILE for Hamas members.
NEW SETTLEMENTS to be built across the Gaza coastline.
EXPULSION of British and Egyptian officials currently stationed at coordination centers in Israel.
COALITION CRISIS
The row has sparked fears of a fresh crisis in the Middle East.
While Netanyahu has publicly thanked Trump for his efforts in returning hostages, he is under immense pressure from his far-right allies to ditch the “Board of Peace” entirely.
”It is either us or them,” Smotrich warned. “Gaza is ours and its future will affect our future more than anyone else’s.”
Background: The Trump ‘Phase 2’ Plan
The current tension stems from the Trump Peace Plan, which entered its second phase this month.
After a series of successful hostage releases and a fragile ceasefire, the White House announced a “Gaza Executive Board” to oversee the territory’s reconstruction.
Crucially, this board includes representatives from Turkey and Qatar, but notably excludes direct Israeli military oversight.
Smotrich and his allies view this as “outsourcing” Israel’s security to nations they consider hostile.
The plan also includes the demilitarization of Hamas, which the Israeli far-right believes can only be achieved through “total destruction” and permanent occupation.
