Israeli Minister Calls for Military Offensive in Occupied West Bank

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called on the Israeli military to launch a major military campaign in the occupied West Bank, saying it should repeat what it did in Gaza.

Speaking in an interview with Ynet News published on Sunday, Smotrich said Israel should “go to war” in the occupied West Bank, which he referred to by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria.

He also called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, describing it as a “terror authority”.

Smotrich’s comments came amid growing tensions and violence in the occupied West Bank. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 1,330 settler-related attacks against Palestinians were recorded between January and late July 2026, an average of about six attacks per day.

Rights groups have warned that some Israeli settlers involved in attacks are increasingly armed with military-issued weapons and, in some cases, wear military uniforms.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have imposed a comprehensive military closure across the occupied West Bank in connection with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. The restrictions are expected to remain in place until October 3.

In occupied East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israelis also entered the compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy police protection on Sunday. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that some performed Talmudic rituals inside the compound.

The developments have further heightened tensions across the occupied Palestinian territories.

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