Ankara: Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has publicly criticized a peace plan announced by US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the ongoing Gaza conflict, labeling it a "tragedy" and a failure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership. In a statement made on the social media platform X, Smotrich expressed his skepticism about the plan's potential for success.

According to Anadolu Agency, Smotrich voiced strong concerns over the proposal, predicting that it would ultimately lead to more conflict. "In my view, this is also going to end in tears. Our children will be forced to fight in Gaza again," he remarked. Smotrich equated the plan to "pure stupidity," referencing Albert Einstein's famous definition of insanity-doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. He criticized key elements of the plan, such as the two-state formula, the training of Palestinian police by Egypt and Jordan, and including Qatar as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations.

The minister also took aim at Netanyahu, accusing him of initially being unwilling to occupy Gaza and condemning the support extended to Trump's plan. Smotrich described the celebrations surrounding the plan as "absurd," calling it "a tragedy of leadership fleeing from the truth."

The peace plan, unveiled by Trump during a joint press conference with Netanyahu at the White House, consists of a 20-point agenda designed to end the war on Gaza. Key points include the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the complete disarmament of Hamas, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the establishment of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee to govern Gaza.

The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 66,000 Palestinians, primarily women and children, since October 2023, due to continuous bombardment by the Israeli army. The humanitarian crisis has left the enclave uninhabitable, leading to widespread starvation and the outbreak of diseases.