Smotrich Calls to Shutter Gaza Coordination Center

Far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has issued a forceful call for the closure of the US-led Gaza coordination center, framing the situation as an existential choice. His declaration comes amid ongoing debates about the future governance of the Gaza Strip.

The minister's proposal seeks to fundamentally alter the current administrative approach, advocating for a reversal of the 2005 disengagement. This would involve imposing direct military rule over the territory's 2.3 million residents, marking a significant departure from existing policy frameworks.

Smotrich's position represents a hardline stance on Gaza's future, centered on the elimination of the current coordination infrastructure. The US-led Gaza coordination center has been a key mechanism for managing humanitarian aid and logistics in the region.

The finance minister argues that this coordination model must be dismantled entirely. His vision involves replacing it with a system of direct military administration, asserting that this is the only viable path forward for Israeli security and sovereignty.

The proposal's key elements include:

• Closure of the US-led coordination center
• Reversal of the 2005 disengagement policy
• Implementation of direct military rule
• Control over Gaza's 2.3 million residents

Smotrich has framed the conflict in stark, binary terms, declaring 'it's either us or them'. This rhetoric underscores the minister's view that compromise is impossible and that a decisive, unilateral approach is necessary.

The statement reflects a broader ideological position that rejects any form of shared governance or negotiated settlement. It positions the current coordination efforts as fundamentally incompatible with Israeli interests.

It's either us or them.

This framing suggests a zero-sum perspective on the conflict, where the existence of one side necessitates the elimination of the other's administrative or political structures. The minister's language leaves little room for diplomatic or cooperative solutions.

The proposal directly targets the 2005 disengagement, a significant historical event where Israel unilaterally withdrew all its troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip. This move was intended to reduce friction and pave the way for a potential two-state solution.

Smotrich's call to reverse this policy represents a dramatic shift in Israeli political discourse. It signals a move away from the disengagement framework that has shaped Israeli-Gaza relations for nearly two decades.

Reversing the disengagement would involve:

• Re-establishing a permanent Israeli military presence
• Eliminating Palestinian administrative control
• Implementing direct rule over the territory
• Overhauling the existing governance structure

The closure of the US-led coordination center would have profound implications for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza's 2.3 million residents. This center has been instrumental in coordinating food, medical supplies, and other essential resources.

Imposing direct military rule would fundamentally alter the daily lives of the Strip's population. It would replace any existing civil administration with military governance, potentially affecting all aspects of civilian life, from education to healthcare.

The strategic implications extend beyond Gaza's borders. Such a move would likely impact Israel's relations with key international partners, particularly the United States, which has invested in the coordination center's operations.

Smotrich's declaration sets the stage for intense political debate within Israel and with its international allies. The proposal challenges long-standing policy and presents a radical alternative to the current approach in Gaza.

The future of the US-led Gaza coordination center and the governance of the Strip's 2.3 million residents remain central questions. As these discussions evolve, the minister's 'either us or them' framework will likely continue to shape the discourse on Israel's strategic options.