Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for Israel to launch a war in the occupied West Bank similar to its offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
“Tel Aviv should do there what we did in Gaza,” Smotrich said in an interview published on Sunday. He also reiterated his call for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited control over parts of the West Bank.
His comments came as Israel has tightened restrictions on Palestinian movement across the West Bank. Checkpoint closures and roadblocks have isolated communities and hindered access to workplaces, homes and essential services.
Since Israel began its war in Gaza in October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have intensified attacks in the West Bank. According to Palestinian figures, more than 1,206 Palestinians have been killed, over 13,300 injured and nearly 26,000 arrested.
The reported attacks include the demolition of homes and other structures, the burning of mosques, the destruction of farmland, restrictions on farmers’ access to their land, the displacement of Palestinians and the expansion of illegal settlements.
Nearly 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 175,000 injured in Israel’s war in Gaza since 2023, according to the source. The offensive has also destroyed about 90% of the enclave’s infrastructure.
