'Do there what we did in Gaza': Smotrich calls for full-scale war in occupied West Bank

What Happened

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionism party, called for Israel to "go to war" in the occupied West Bank and "do there what we did in Gaza" during an interview with Ynet's 120 and One political podcast. Smotrich also reasserted his demand to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in parts of the occupied West Bank, as Israel heads toward the 27 October elections. His comments came amid what the article describes as relentless settler violence and movement restrictions across the West Bank. On Sunday, Israeli authorities ordered a "comprehensive closure" of the crossings into the occupied territory for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces tightened restrictions around Ramallah, closing roads and entrances to several towns and villages: the entrance gate to Turmus Ayya north of Ramallah was closed and residents were "harassed", entrances to Aboud, Nabi Saleh, Atara and Taybeh were closed, and military checkpoints were set up at the entrances to Yabroud and Ein Sinyah.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Smotrich's call for a Gaza-style military operation in the West Bank and the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority signals a potential escalation in an already volatile theatre, with ongoing settler violence and movement restrictions. Coming ahead of the 27 October elections, the remarks may serve as far-right campaign positioning but could also shape Israeli policy toward the West Bank, further inflaming tensions with Palestinian communities and undermining the PA's limited governance role.

Watch For

Monitor whether Smotrich's rhetoric translates into expanded Israeli military operations or settlement activity in the West Bank, and whether Israeli authorities maintain or extend the Sukkot closure and Ramallah-area checkpoints after the holiday. Watch for responses from the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian factions, and international mediators, as well as any policy shifts following the 27 October elections.