ISTANBUL

Palestinian National Council (PNC) Chairman Rawhi Fattouh condemned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's call Thursday for a phased, complete blockade of Gaza and annexation of the territory if Hamas refuses to surrender and release all Israeli captives as an explicit admission of genocide and war crimes under international law.

Fattouh denounced Smotrich's statements, emphasizing that they represent "an explicit acknowledgment of the policy of genocide and ethnic cleansing pursued by the occupation government and constitute a complete war crime under international law, the Fourth Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute."

He stressed that such "inflammatory rhetoric" has evolved beyond extreme opinion into official policy, implemented through nearly two years of siege targeting relief centers, destroying infrastructure and attempting forced displacement. He described Israel as "a direct partner in crimes against humanity."

He also condemned illegal Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Fattouh called on the international community, the UN and its Security Council to fulfill their legal and political responsibilities. He warned against Israeli plans to occupy Gaza City and commit atrocities against civilians, demanding immediate action to halt criminal policies, impose sanctions on Israeli leaders, and provide urgent international protection.

Smotrich outlined his "victory plan for Gaza," calling for declaring Gaza City and central refugee camps combat zones to leave Hamas members to "die from hunger and thirst."

The far-right minister called for a gradual annexation of Gaza and implementing US President Donald Trump's Palestinian displacement plan.

Israel has killed at least 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.