, the umbrella group of local authorities in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley, he said this was both “possible and necessary,” according toThe Israel Defense Forces taking responsibility for the civilian administration of Gaza “is a non-negotiable condition,” he added.
“Along the way, the IDF will also oversee civilian efforts. This is the only way to eliminate Hamas’s civilian rule,” he added. “It is possible to create a scenario where Gaza’s population is reduced to less than half of its current size within two years,” he said, suggesting that this could serve as a “model” for Judea and Samaria.The conference in Jerusalem at which Smotrich made the remarks was focused on developing strategies in anticipation of the incoming U.S. administration, and was attended by leaders of Israeli right-wing organizations.