Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Israel Minister Calls for Gaza, Lebanon Takeover to Deter War
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israel should take control of more land in Gaza and Lebanon.
He also called for military action in the West Bank.
Smotrich said this could stop enemies from starting another war.
He wants the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, dismantled.
The Palestinian Authority rejected his words.
It said the proposal could increase violence and hurt the chance of creating a Palestinian state.
Violence in the West Bank has already increased during the Gaza war.
Palestinian officials report that at least 1,110 Palestinians have been killed there.
Israeli figures report that at least 49 Israelis have also been killed in related attacks or operations.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for Israel to annex parts of Gaza and south Lebanon.
Smotrich also urged Israel to launch a war in the West Bank and dismantle the Palestinian Authority.
He said territorial annexation would deter future attacks by ensuring wars do not end where they began.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the remarks as a call for escalation, annexation and displacement.
At least 1,110 Palestinians and 49 Israelis have been killed in West Bank-related violence since the Gaza war began, according to separate tallies.
- Who
- Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made the proposal; the Palestinian Authority condemned it.
- What
- Smotrich called for annexing parts of Gaza and south Lebanon and for military action against Palestinians in the West Bank.
- When
- The remarks and condemnation were reported on Sunday; Israel is scheduled to hold elections on October 27.
- Where
- The proposed areas include the Gaza Strip, south Lebanon up to the Litani River, and the West Bank.
- Why
- Smotrich said territorial gains would deter future wars and accused the Palestinian Authority of supporting terrorism.
Smotrich’s Position
Palestinian Authority’s Position
Annexation and deterrence
Smotrich’s Position
Smotrich argued that Israel should annex parts of Gaza and south Lebanon so wars do not end along their original lines, which he said would deter future attacks.
Palestinian Authority’s Position
The Palestinian Authority said the proposal promotes escalation and annexation and undermines the prospects of an independent Palestinian state.
West Bank military action
Smotrich’s Position
Smotrich called for war in the West Bank and the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
Palestinian Authority’s Position
The Palestinian Authority condemned the call as an attempt to increase violence and displacement in the West Bank.
- Speaker
- Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister
- Proposed Gaza boundary
- At least as far as the “yellow line,” which marks territory under Israeli military control
- Proposed Lebanon boundary
- South Lebanon up to the Litani River
- West Bank proposal
- Smotrich called for war in the West Bank and dismantling the Palestinian Authority
- Palestinian reaction
- The Palestinian Authority called the remarks an explicit call for escalation, annexation and displacement
- Reported Palestinian deaths
- At least 1,110 Palestinians, including militants, have been killed in the West Bank since the Gaza war began, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian official figures
- Reported Israeli deaths
- At least 49 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli operations, according to Israeli figures