Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for war in the occupied West Bank and the annexation of parts of south Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, according to a statement published by The Hindu International on September 27, 2026. Smotrich, a leader of the far-right party Yamina, said Israel should 'go to war' in Judea and Samaria to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, which he described as a 'terror authority.' He also called for the annexation of areas in Gaza and Lebanon, citing the 'yellow line' as a demarcation for control in Gaza.

The Palestinian Authority condemned Smotrich's remarks, calling them an 'explicit call for escalation, annexation and displacement' aimed at undermining the prospects of an independent Palestinian state. The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023, with at least 1,110 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or settlers, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian official figures. Israeli figures show at least 49 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during military operations during the same period.

Smotrich's comments were reported by Al Jazeera, which noted that the minister responded to a question about how Israel should combat 'security tensions' in the West Bank. He said Israel should 'do there what we did in Gaza,' implying the use of military force to eliminate 'terror infrastructure.' The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recorded over 1,330 settler-related attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank from January to late July, the highest rate in about 20 years. Rights groups warn that settlers are increasingly armed with military-issued weaponry and wear military uniforms during attacks, blurring the line between settler and soldier.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates warned that Smotrich's comments come within the context of Israeli government policies that involve the killing and displacement of Palestinians, as well as the expansion of illegal settlements, land confiscation and attempts to impose annexation by force. It also warned that continued international silence over inflammatory Israeli statements and policies encourages the Israeli government to pursue its plans and risks further regional tension and instability.

Israeli authorities announced a comprehensive military closure across the occupied West Bank, citing the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. The heightened restrictions on the movement of Palestinians are set to remain in place until October 3. Meanwhile, in occupied East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israelis stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy protection from Israeli police on Sunday. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the Israelis entered the compound through the Moroccan Gate and performed Talmudic rituals, as Israeli forces increased restrictions around the mosque and across Jerusalem’s Old City.

The situation remains unclear regarding the potential impact of Smotrich's statements on the ongoing conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape.