Israeli finance minister calls for building settlements near Gaza amid ongoing Israeli offensive

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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 Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, 1 August 2026 (Eyad Baba/AFP) Off Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday called for the construction of three new Israeli settlements along the northern fence of Gaza. The statement comes