{
  "id": 46644,
  "title": "Israeli finance minister calls for building settlements near Gaza amid ongoing Israeli offensive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/israeli-finance-minister-calls-for-building-settlements-near-gaza",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-02T13:35:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/smotrich-calls-building-settlements-near-gaza-amid-ongoing-israeli-offensive"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has proposed the construction of three new Israeli settlements near Gaza amid ongoing Israeli military strikes against Palestinians in the territory. This comes as the US prepares to provide additional military support to Israel. Smotrich, who heads Israel's Settlements Administration, called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the plan, stating that his administration is prepared to establish the settlements in the northern sector of the Gaza Strip. The proposal marks a return to settlements that were evacuated in 2005 under then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan. Since October 2023, Israel has been engaged in a military offensive in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, killing hundreds of Palestinians and wounding thousands. The Palestinian health ministry reported that six Palestinians were killed and 23 wounded in Israeli attacks in the last 24 hours. The Israeli military said it killed two Hamas commanders in separate strikes in Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas called for the US-led Board of Peace to ensure that commitments made under last year's ceasefire are honored. Israel is also expected to receive about 10 additional aerial refueling aircraft in the coming days.",
  "summary": "Israeli finance minister calls for building settlements near Gaza amid ongoing Israeli offensive Submitted by MEE staff on Sun, 08/02/2026 - 13:38 Bezalel Smotrich's proposal comes as Israeli strikes kill more Palestinians and US prepares additional military support A displaced Palestinian sits outside tents after an Israeli air strike struck the medical supplies warehouse at Al-Aqsa Martyrs…",
  "key_points": [
    "Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proposes three new settlements near Gaza.",
    "Smotrich calls for Prime Minister Netanyahu's approval of the plan.",
    "Proposal returns to settlements evacuated in 2005."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/46644.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Israeli strikes kill 13 in Gaza, minister says no deal to halt attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/israeli-strikes-kill-13-in-gaza-minister-says-no-deal-to-halt-attacks",
        "published": "2026-08-02T00:46:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Israeli finance minister calls for settlements near Gaza",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/israeli-finance-minister-calls-for-settlements-near-gaza",
        "published": "2026-08-02T13:41:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "At least 13 killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza after Hamas agree disarmament deal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/at-least-13-killed-in-israeli-strikes-on-gaza-after-hamas-agree",
        "published": "2026-08-02T15:50:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Fetus found among the ruins of a deadly Israeli strike on Gaza",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/fetus-found-among-the-ruins-of-a-deadly-israeli-strike-on-gaza",
        "published": "2026-08-02T17:57:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Israeli strikes kill 18 in Gaza, minister says no deal to halt attacks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/israeli-strikes-kill-18-in-gaza-minister-says-no-deal-to-halt-attacks-60232",
        "published": "2026-08-02T21:04:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}