JERUSALEM

Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called Wednesday for the "occupation of the Gaza Strip” and encouraging the emigration of its residents despite international criticism of such statements.

His remarks came in an interview conducted by Israel’s Channel 13.

Ben-Gvir, the leader of the far-right Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit) party, criticized the course of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, saying “my critique of the war's course is clear: progress must be made to bring about a resolution.”

“The soldiers are doing an excellent job, but in the mini-cabinet (Israeli cabinet), you must give them (the soldiers) support to resolve it,” he added.

Ben-Gvir expressed his hope that elements of the Likud party would not hinder the progress achieved in the war.

He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leader of Likud, is leading negotiations with the "There is a Future" party led by opposition leader Yair Lapid, "to bring them into the government at my expense."

"Gaza must be occupied. Stay inside it and encourage the voluntary migration of its residents. If we win the war, it will be practically accomplished," he said.

This is not the first time that senior Israeli officials have issued statements calling for the displacement of Palestinians.

Ministers including Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Knesset member for the Likud party Danny Danon have in recent weeks called for encouraging the “voluntary migration” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Western countries including the US, France, Britain, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia in addition to the European Union have rejected these statements, declaring that the displacement of Gaza's residents is a violation of international law.

Arab and Islamic countries including Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have also condemned Israeli calls to displace Gazans from their land, confirming that they represent a disregard for international laws and agreements and efforts to settle the Palestinian issue.

The Israeli army has been waging a destructive war on Gaza since Oct. 7 last year resulting in 24,448 deaths and 61,504 injuries and causing the displacement of more than 85% (about 1.9 million people) of the Gaza Strip's population, according to Palestinian authorities and the UN.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala