Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir took to X moments ago to call for the permanent occupation of the Gaza Strip.

He spoke out against a US-backed mediation effort and said Hamas “must be crushed” until it “completely surrenders”. The transfer of all humanitarian aid and fuel should be stopped until all captives held by Hamas are released and Israeli authorities must “encourage immigration and occupy the territories of the Gaza Strip in order to keep them in our hands permanently”, he wrote.

Earlier, Ben-Gvir told Israel’s Channel 14 that Israel taking part in ceasefire negotiations on Thursday would be “a serious mistake”. He said he told Netanyahu that the Israeli military is “doing a great job in Gaza” and “so why pull them out?”

He added: “Why should we go now and have a dialogue? Hamas is being crushed by this war and we can win it. I have clearly said that I hope and pray that Netanyahu will not conclude a loose deal. We are victorious and advanced.”