Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Monday that planning has been completed for the establishment of three new Jewish communities in northern Gaza and said construction could begin immediately if Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu grants final political approval.

The announcement followed a meeting between Smotrich and Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi, during which the minister said the Defense Ministry’s Settlement Authority has finished all necessary preparatory work and is ready to move forward.

“The Settlement Authority in the Defense Ministry, led by me, has completed the staff work, and we are ready to establish three communities immediately, the moment we get the green light from the Prime Minister. I call on the Prime Minister: grant the approval, let’s finish the mission and restore true security for the residents of the south,” Smotrich said.

Smotrich argued that Israel must complete its military objectives in Gaza and maintain a permanent Jewish presence in the area to prevent future attacks. He noted that the IDF currently controls most of the Strip and said that military gains should be followed by civilian settlement.

He added that “the IDF is currently holding nearly 70% of the territory in the Gaza Strip. We have to complete the conquest of the remaining territory, defeat Hamas, and establish a strip of Jewish communities that will serve as a security belt for Sderot and the Gaza envelope communities. Wherever there is no settlement, there is no security. We are not returning to the pre-October 7th reality.”

Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi voiced strong support for the proposal and praised Smotrich for his efforts on behalf of communities bordering Gaza. He recalled urging the minister to continue the military campaign until the threat from Hamas was eliminated.

“Finance Minister, thank you for all you do for the Gaza envelope. I was also one of those who called you and said, ‘Bezalel, fight,’ so that we wouldn’t stop fighting until we remove the threat from Sderot and the envelope. That is the minimum needed for the residents of the area to live securely.”