Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has issued a stern ultimatum to the Hamas militia in the Gaza Strip, demanding the complete surrender of all weapons and full demilitarization. Smotrich stated on Monday in an interview with Israeli public broadcaster Kan that if Hamas fails to comply within the coming days, the Israeli army possesses the international legitimacy and American backing to occupy the entire Gaza Strip. He indicated that the army is already preparing for such a scenario, asserting that Israel would "go into the Gaza Strip and occupy it" if Hamas does not dissolve. Smotrich, a member of Israel's security cabinet, made these remarks amidst ongoing negotiations for a fragile ceasefire, where the second phase involves a gradual Israeli military withdrawal and Hamas disarmament, a condition the militants reject.