Israeli finance minister calls for settlements near Gaza

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the construction of three new Israeli settlements near Gaza, despite an ongoing ceasefire agreement. Smotrich, who heads Israel's Settlements Administration, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the plan in a recent post on X. This comes as Israeli military attacks continue in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, following a ceasefire agreement announced in October.

Smotrich's statement highlights the far-right government's push to expand settlements, even as ongoing tensions and conflict persist in the region.

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