Gaza Herald _Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has once again advocated for sweeping Israeli control over the Gaza Strip, calling for the establishment of a military administration to govern the territory and reiterating demands for the return of Israeli settlement activity in Gaza.
In remarks made on Sunday, Smotrich argued that placing Gaza under direct Israeli rule is the only option available to Israel, asserting that the territory should be managed through a full military government. He also renewed calls to restore settlements inside the enclave, reflecting the position of Israel’s far-right political camp regarding Gaza’s future.
His statements came as Palestinian health authorities released updated casualty figures from the ongoing war. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, the number of documented Palestinians killed since October 2023 has climbed to 73,032, while the number of injured has reached 173,357.
The ministry reported that during the last 24 hours alone, hospitals operating across the Gaza Strip received the bodies of nine Palestinians and treated 41 wounded individuals, highlighting the continuing human toll despite ongoing international efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.
Smotrich maintained that Israel should assume complete authority over Gaza, stating that there is no alternative other than full Israeli control exercised through a military administration. His remarks also included renewed support for reestablishing settlements within the territory, a proposal that has drawn significant international criticism in previous discussions about Gaza’s future governance.
At the same time, Palestinian medical officials stressed that the reported casualty figures do not fully reflect the scale of the devastation. Hundreds of victims are believed to remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings and in areas that rescue teams have been unable to access.
Medical sources said that civil defense crews and emergency responders continue to encounter severe challenges, including ongoing attacks, damaged infrastructure, and a shortage of equipment and resources needed for search-and-recovery operations. As a result, officials believe the actual death toll is likely higher than the numbers officially documented so far.
The latest developments underscore both the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the growing political debate over the territory’s future, as Israeli officials advance proposals for direct control while Palestinian authorities continue to report mounting casualties and widespread destruction across the Strip.
