Story perspectives

Smotrich Calls for West Bank War, Palestinian Authority Dismantling

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 3:07 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Smotrich Calls War

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for war in the occupied West Bank and urged dismantling the Palestinian Authority.
Palestinian officials report 1,206 killed, 13,300 injured, and nearly 26,000 arrested in the West Bank since October 2023.
The Gaza war has killed nearly 74,000 Palestinians, injured over 175,000, and destroyed 90% of infrastructure.
Despite a ceasefire Oct. 10, 2025, the Israeli army kept Gaza attacks, killing over 1,400 Palestinians and injuring 5,000.

Summary

ICJ Declares Occupation Illegal

The International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation illegal in July 2024.
The UN Security Council passed multiple resolutions banning West Bank settlement expansion.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s post-war Gaza plan calls for Israel’s withdrawal from the enclave.
Lebanon is negotiating with Israel for IDF withdrawal, Hezbollah disarmament, and a prospective peace agreement.

Summary

Israeli Forces Shield Settlers

Israeli authorities imposed a week-long closure of the West Bank during Sukkot, ending Oct 3.
OCHA recorded 1,330 settler attacks on Palestinians from January to late July, averaging six daily.
Rights groups say settlers use military weapons and wear uniforms, blurring lines with soldiers.
Experts say Israeli forces often protect or support settler groups during attacks.
Hundreds of Israelis entered Al-Aqsa Mosque via the Moroccan Gate for rituals under police protection.

History

Historical Context

Israel’s strike in June 1967 Six-Day War captured the West Bank, Gaza, Sinai and Golan Heights, leading UN to adopt Resolution 242 on 22 November 1967 with 14 of 15 votes. Israel returned Sinai after 1978 Camp David Accords and left Gaza in 2005, yet settlements grew to hundreds of thousands. In July 2024 ICJ’s illegal-occupation ruling and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s call to dismantle Palestinian Authority revive 1967-based legal framework.

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Smotrich Calls War

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for war in the occupied West Bank and urged dismantling the Palestinian Authority.
Palestinian officials report 1,206 killed, 13,300 injured, and nearly 26,000 arrested in the West Bank since October 2023.
The Gaza war has killed nearly 74,000 Palestinians, injured over 175,000, and destroyed 90% of infrastructure.
Despite a ceasefire Oct. 10, 2025, the Israeli army kept Gaza attacks, killing over 1,400 Palestinians and injuring 5,000.

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