Smotrich calls for West Bank war and dismantling of Palestinian Authority FAST-MOVING

Bezalel Smotrich West Bank Palestinian Authority annexation Israeli military

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for a large-scale military campaign in the occupied West Bank, urging the military to replicate the tactics used in the Gaza Strip. In an interview with Ynet News, Smotrich advocated for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, which he characterized as a terrorist entity, and called for the elimination of all terrorist infrastructure, including weapons and tunnels.

Smotrich also expressed intentions to expand Israeli control by annexing territories in the Gaza Strip up to the 'yellow line' and reaching the Litani River in Lebanon. These statements come amid rising tensions and increased Israeli military presence in the West Bank ahead of the Sukkot holiday. The Israeli military has also implemented a comprehensive closure across the territory.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the remarks, describing them as an explicit call for escalation, annexation, and displacement that undermines the possibility of an independent Palestinian state. This follows reports from UN OCHA of over 1,330 settler-related attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank between January and late July, marking a significant increase in regional violence.

Entities

Bezalel Smotrich · Gaza Strip · Israel Defense Forces · Judea and Samaria · Palestinian Authority · Religious Zionist Party · United Nations · United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs · West Bank

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Smotrich reported the establishment of 22 new settlement outposts in the West Bank during the recent summer. ardh.news · arabic.euronews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] A Palestinian girl was shot and injured by Israeli forces at the Qalandia checkpoint. ardh.news
[● 17 SOURCES] Bezalel Smotrich called for a Gaza-style military campaign in the West Bank. ardh.news · worldisraelnews.com · haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · news.az · +10 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The Israeli military has increased its alert level and deployed reinforcements to the West Bank ahead of Sukkot. ardh.news · thefrontierpost.com · arabic.euronews.com
[● 17 SOURCES] Smotrich advocated for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. ardh.news · worldisraelnews.com · haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · news.az · +10 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The UN recorded over 1,330 settler-related attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank between January and late July. haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · www.globalist.it · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Smotrich expressed desire to annex parts of Gaza and reach the Litani River in Lebanon. ch23.com · www.kurir.rs · www.tag24.com
[● 7 SOURCES] The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Smotrich's statements as a call for escalation and displacement. www.sadanews.ps · sarabic.ae · www.elbalad.news · pnn.ps · ardh.news · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Israeli authorities announced a comprehensive military closure across the occupied West Bank. haitigazette.com · trinidadtribune.com · barbadosgazette.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com