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Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said it is time to dismantle the U.S.-led civil-military coordination center established to oversee the Gaza ceasefire, sharply criticizing Washington’s Gaza governance plan and the inclusion of Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt in its second phase.
Speaking at the inauguration of a new Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Smotrich reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a “Board of Peace,” arguing that the U.S. Civil-Military Coordinating Center set up in Israel’s southern city of Kiryat Gat should be closed.
The center was established by U.S. forces in October to help oversee the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Smotrich said dismantling it would remove what he described as “hostile countries,” naming Egypt and Britain, which he claimed undermine Israel’s security.
Smotrich condemned the inclusion of Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt in the Gaza Executive Board created as part of phase two of the ceasefire and Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza.
He questioned whether Israel had “paid all these prices” only to transfer Gaza “from one enemy to another.”
He claimed Türkiye and Qatar support Hamas and said Egypt does not favor Israel, drawing comparisons between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Hamas and its slain leader Yahya Sinwar.
Smotrich also said Israel should explain to Trump that the plan is “bad for the State of Israel” and should be canceled, while adding that it was time to thank Trump for his support and assistance in the return of hostages.
Addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Smotrich urged Israel to fully occupy Gaza, eliminate Hamas militarily and civilly, open the Rafah crossing with or without Egyptian consent, and allow Gaza’s residents to leave the territory.
He said Israel should impose a military administration and expand settlements, asserting that “Gaza is ours.”
Smotrich argued that Israel should issue Hamas a short ultimatum to disarm and leave Gaza, and if unmet, launch a full-scale assault. He said this approach reflected what he described as the position of most Israelis at the start of the war.
On Friday, the White House announced the formation of the Board of Peace to help implement Trump’s plan to end the Gaza conflict and oversee reconstruction.
The plan includes the creation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to govern Gaza, supported by two executive boards.
The Gaza Executive Board includes Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari diplomat Ali al-Thawadi and Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, according to the announcement.
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