Smotrich: Netanyahu, Trump Committed to Removing Hamas from Gaza

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends an inauguration event for Israel's new light rail line for the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, in Petah Tikva, Israel, August 17, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends an inauguration event for Israel's new light rail line for the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, in Petah Tikva, Israel, August 17, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
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Smotrich: Netanyahu, Trump Committed to Removing Hamas from Gaza

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends an inauguration event for Israel's new light rail line for the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, in Petah Tikva, Israel, August 17, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends an inauguration event for Israel's new light rail line for the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, in Petah Tikva, Israel, August 17, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/File Photo

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said that he decided to remain in the government after becoming convinced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the new Trump administration were committed to removing Hamas as a governing power from Gaza, including by force if necessary.

Smotrich, who leads an ultranationalist religious party, had voted against the ceasefire deal with Hamas but has remained in the governing coalition for the time being. His departure would rob Netanyahu of his parliamentary majority, setting the stage for the government’s collapse and early elections.

In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Smotrich argued that the deal would have gone through whether or not he left the government, and said that while he believed that the deal was a mistake, the majority of his coalition was in favor, and he could not “impose his minority opinion” on the rest.

Smotrich has said that if Phase two of the deal includes an end to the war without achieving its goals, he would not just leave the government; he would topple it.

The most dangerous part of the deal is the idea that taking Israelis hostage paid off and was enough to “bring Israel to its knees,” Smotrich said in the interview published Friday. This could result in attempts to kidnap Israelis or Jews abroad, which could be done fairly easily, and could force Israel to pay a heavy price. Israel needs to ensure that the end result will be an end to Hamas – and as such, a deterrent against future hostage-taking.

Smotrich also criticized the length of the war, which he said, should have been far quicker.

Part of what prolonged it was the Biden administration’s “arms embargo” and its delay of shipment of D9 military bulldozers, which are crucial for Israel’s urban warfare tactics, said Smotrich.



Burhan’s Aide Announces Imminent Appointment of New Sudanese Prime Minister

Sudanese Army Commander General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan during a conference in Port Sudan (AFP)
Sudanese Army Commander General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan during a conference in Port Sudan (AFP)
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Burhan’s Aide Announces Imminent Appointment of New Sudanese Prime Minister

Sudanese Army Commander General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan during a conference in Port Sudan (AFP)
Sudanese Army Commander General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan during a conference in Port Sudan (AFP)

Ibrahim Jaber, a member of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council and assistant to the army’s commander-in-chief, announced that a new prime minister will be appointed “very soon.” He noted that the candidate will be politically independent and will form a government composed of civilian experts without external interference.

Recent amendments to Sudan’s controversial 2019 Constitutional Document granted the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the authority to appoint and dismiss the prime minister, following a recommendation from the legislative authority.

In an exclusive statement to Asharq Al-Awsat, Jaber revealed that the constitutional amendments also included revisions to the 2021 Investment Law, aimed at reducing bureaucratic hurdles that previously hindered both domestic and foreign investments. He stressed that once the war ends, Sudan will focus on attracting investors across various sectors.

Burhan has previously affirmed his intention to appoint a new prime minister to establish a civilian government, including all military and political forces that supported the army in its conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Following the October 25, 2021, coup, Burhan reinstated 15 acting ministers while maintaining the ministerial quotas allocated to the armed factions that signed the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement.

Jaber assured that the military situation is “under control” and that victory is imminent. He claimed that the Sudanese people have rallied behind the army in its battle against the RSF. He added that the military, alongside joint forces from armed struggle movements and mobilized fighters, has inflicted consecutive defeats on the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).

The Sudanese official also addressed the recent decision to change Sudan’s currency, describing it as a necessary move due to the looting of banks, companies, and citizens’ assets during the war. He noted that many Sudanese have shifted to digital banking applications, reducing reliance on cash.

Jaber highlighted that digital transactions enable the government to monitor financial flows, curb illicit arms trade funding, prevent currency counterfeiting, and facilitate the expansion of banking services into production areas. Additionally, he asserted that electronic banking has significantly improved liquidity in the banking sector following widespread looting.

Jaber chaired the High Committee for Currency Change, which oversaw the replacement of large-denomination banknotes in recent months. Previously, he was also tasked with overseeing key ministries, including livestock, agriculture, trade, industry, investment, international cooperation, communications, and transportation.