Smotrich demands Gaza-style military campaign in West Bank amid new closures

Key points

• Smotrich told Ynet News that Israel must 'go to war' in the West Bank to eliminate 'terror infrastructure,' mirroring the dismantling of Hamas in Gaza.
• Israeli authorities imposed a total military closure across the West Bank starting September 27, lasting until October 3, citing the Sukkot holiday.
• The UN OCHA reported 1,330 settler-related attacks on Palestinians between January and late July 2026, averaging six per day, the highest rate in two decades.
• Hundreds of Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem on Sunday under heavy police protection to perform rituals.
• The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the comments, linking them to broader policies of displacement and settlement expansion.

Background

This escalation follows a sustained increase in settler violence since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023. Recent incidents, including the September 2 attack on an NBC News crew in Jalud and the August detention of a British activist, have highlighted the intensifying security tensions and the blurring of lines between settler and military actions in the region.

How outlets are covering it

Al Jazeera emphasizes the rhetorical link between Smotrich’s call for war and the ongoing 'genocidal war' in Gaza, framing the West Bank closure as a precursor to broader conflict. Anadolu Ajansı focuses on the immediate humanitarian impact, noting that over 1,200 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since 2023 and that the current restrictions isolate communities from essential services. While both outlets report the same core facts, Al Jazeera highlights the 'pogrom' nature of settler violence, whereas Anadolu stresses the statistical toll of the occupation since the Gaza war began.

Why it matters

Smotrich’s explicit call for a military campaign in the West Bank signals a potential shift in Israeli strategy from containment to active dismantling of Palestinian governance. Coupled with the Sukkot closure and record-high settler violence, these developments indicate a deepening of the occupation’s military footprint and a likely increase in displacement and conflict in the coming months.

What to watch

The military closure will remain in effect until October 3, potentially exacerbating tensions as the holiday concludes. International observers will monitor whether Smotrich’s rhetoric translates into policy changes or further military operations, while the Palestinian Authority and international bodies will likely issue further condemnations regarding the 'inflammatory' statements and restrictions.