Israeli minister says army plans long-term occupation in Gaza  

Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that “Gaza must be reoccupied” and that the “Israeli army will remain in the Gaza Strip for many years to ensure security.”  

He added, “The army will maintain operational security control in Gaza for the long term to meet the objectives of the war and prevent Hamas from recovering.”

Smotrich also estimated that “a political settlement will be reached by the end of the year.”