Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich Advocates Military Action in West Bank

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that the Israeli military should take military action in the occupied West Bank, suggesting a strategy similar to that used in Gaza. In an interview with Ynet News, Smotrich referred to the West Bank as Judea and Samaria and called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, which he labeled a 'terror authority.' His comments were made in the context of increasing security tensions in the region, where violence against Palestinians has reportedly escalated. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documented over 1,330 settler-related attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank from January to late July, averaging six attacks per day, marking the highest rate in approximately 20 years. Rights groups have expressed concerns about the increasing arming of settlers, who are often supported by Israeli soldiers during these incidents. The Israeli government has announced a week-long military closure across the occupied West Bank, coinciding with the Jewish holiday Sukkot, which will remain in effect until October 3. Additionally, reports indicate that hundreds of Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, performing rituals under police protection amid heightened restrictions in the area.