Finance Minister Smotrich calls for war in West Bank — Al Jazeera
In the occupied Palestinian West Bank, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on the Israeli military to launch a war and repeat there the actions it carried out in Gaza. Al Jazeera English reports.
Smotrich’s statement
In an interview with Ynet News published on Sunday, Smotrich said that Israel should wage a war in Judea and Samaria, a biblical term he used to refer to the occupied West Bank. He also called for the elimination of the Palestinian Authority, which he described as terrorist.
According to the minister, Israeli forces must prevent the existence of militants, weapons and tunnels in the West Bank. Al Jazeera notes that his comments came amid escalating violence against Palestinians in the territory.
Movement restrictions during Sukkot
Israeli authorities announced a complete military closure of the occupied West Bank for a week, citing the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Tightened restrictions on the movement of Palestinians are to remain in effect until October 3.
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In East Jerusalem, meanwhile, hundreds of Israelis entered the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy protection by Israeli police. The Palestinian agency Wafa reported that they entered through the Moroccan Gate and performed Talmudic rituals, while Israeli forces tightened restrictions around the mosque and in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Data on settler attacks
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded more than 1,330 settler-related attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank from January through the second half of July. This averages about six incidents a day, the highest rate in approximately 20 years.
According to Al Jazeera, settler groups, often supported or protected by the Israeli military, engaged in shootings, surrounded homes and used other forms of collective violence. Human rights organizations warn that settlers are increasingly carrying weapons issued by the military and wearing military uniforms during attacks.
