Tel Aviv:Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has advocated for military action in the occupied West Bank, similar to the operations conducted by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

According to Anadolu Agency, Smotrich expressed his views in an interview with the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, stating that Tel Aviv "should do there (West Bank) what we did in Gaza." He also reiterated his stance on dismantling the Palestinian Authority, which currently holds limited administrative control over parts of the West Bank.

Smotrich's remarks have emerged amidst increasing Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement within the West Bank. These restrictions include the closure of checkpoints and the establishment of roadblocks that isolate communities and impede access to jobs, residences, and essential services.

Since the onset of Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, there has been an escalation of attacks in the West Bank by the Israeli military and settlers, resulting in over 1,206 Palestinian deaths, injuries to more than 13,300 individuals, and nearly 26,000 arrests, according to Palestinian sources. The aggression has involved demolishing residential and other structures, burning mosques, bulldozing farmlands, blocking farmers' access to their land, displacing Palestinians, and expanding illegal settlements.

The reported conflict in Gaza has resulted in nearly 74,000 Palestinian fatalities and injuries to over 175,000 others since 2023, severely damaging approximately 90% of the enclave's infrastructure. Despite a ceasefire that was declared on October 10, 2025, the Israeli military has continued its operations in Gaza, reportedly killing over 1,400 Palestinians and injuring around 5,000 more, as per Gaza's Health Ministry.