As the finance minister stated: If Hamas does not disarm, the Israeli army has the right to occupy Gaza.

Israel's far-right finance minister, Smotrich, said that if Hamas refuses to disarm, Israel has a legitimate reason to enter and occupy Gaza.

AFP reported that Smotrich told Israel's Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) on Monday (February 23rd): "We estimate that in the coming days, Israel will issue a final ultimatum to Hamas, demanding that it disarm and completely demilitarize Gaza."

He added: "If Hamas fails to comply with the demands, the Israeli Defense Forces will gain international legitimacy and the support of the United States, and will take action on their own."

Smotrich is a member of the Israeli Security Cabinet and is responsible for approving large-scale military operations. He stated that the Israeli army is already preparing for independent actions and is formulating plans.

According to the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, the Israeli army withdrew behind the "yellow line", but still controlled more than half of the Gaza territory.

During the ceasefire period stipulated in the agreement, Gaza was not completely peaceful. The Israeli army continued to frequently carry out deadly bombings in Gaza and accused Hamas of violating the agreement.

The second phase of the ceasefire plan, which was officially launched in January, focuses on the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. However, Hamas strongly opposes disarmament.

Smotrich said, "If Hamas does not disband, (the Israeli army) will definitely enter and occupy Gaza."

When asked how the Israeli army managed to do this, Smotrich said: "At present, we are studying two or three different plans."

The Gaza peace plan proposed by US President Trump also calls for the establishment of an international stabilization force consisting of 20,000 troops.

Smotrich was asked about how the Israeli army would act when there were international troops deployed in Gaza. He stated that foreign troops would "quickly withdraw and allow (the Israelis) to enter, and this has been coordinated with the United States."