Ofer Cassif

Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich’s vow that Gaza be ‘entirely destroyed’ should surprise no one – he formulated this chilling idea way before 7 October

• Ofer Cassif is a member of the Knesset for Hadash

Israel’s announcement of a new offensive to “conquer” Gaza, along with claims by Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli minister of finance, that the strip will be “entirely destroyed”, have flustered the international community. Observers may be distressed, disturbed or upset by these plans. But they should come as no surprise. This kind of genocidal ideology has been evident, in Smotrich’s case, since long before 7 October. And opposition voices – including mine – have been warning of the government’s intentions in Gaza since October 2023.