Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has attacked the Israeli army chief of staff and said Israel should “occupy the entire” Gaza Strip.

Speaking to Israeli Army Radio, the leader of the Religious Zionist Party argued that Herzi Halevi was not the right person to lead the military.

Smotrich said what was needed was someone who understands that occupying Gaza was his mission, someone “who stands behind it and is ready to enforce it”.

He added that Israel should “establish military rule” in Gaza, adding that there is no “third force” that could control the territory.

Unlike hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir who quit Netanyahu’s coalition government over the Gaza ceasefire deal, Smotrich opted to stay but said he would quit if the war ends without Hamas completely destroyed.