Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for the military to “go to war” in the occupied West Bank and repeat its campaign in Gaza, as authorities imposed a week-long closure across the territory.
In an interview published by Ynet News, Mr Smotrich said Israel should act in what he called “Judea and Samaria” to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, which he described as “a terror authority”.
“Just as you dismantled Hamas in Gaza, there won’t be terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria,” he said. “No terrorists, no weapons, no tunnels.”
His comments came amid what Israeli authorities described as rising security tensions in the occupied West Bank. Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has increased since the outbreak of Israel’s war in Gaza in October 2023, with attacks intensifying significantly this year.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded more than 1,330 settler-related attacks on Palestinians between January and late July. That amounted to an average of six attacks a day, the highest rate recorded in about 20 years.
Settler groups have been accused of carrying out shootings, surrounding homes and other forms of communal violence, sometimes with the support or protection of Israeli soldiers. Rights groups have warned that settlers are increasingly armed with military-issued weapons and wearing military uniforms, making the distinction between settlers and soldiers less clear.
West Bank military closure
Israeli authorities announced a comprehensive military closure across the occupied West Bank in connection with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Restrictions on Palestinian movement are due to remain in place until October 3.
In occupied East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israelis entered the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday under heavy police protection. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that they entered through the Moroccan Gate and performed Talmudic rituals, while Israeli forces tightened restrictions around the mosque and across Jerusalem’s Old City.
