Bezalel Smotrich, the far‑right finance minister, used a Ynet podcast to push the idea that Israel should annex territory up to the Gaza yellow line and the Litani River in Lebanon, and to launch a war in the West Bank. He argued that ending a conflict on the same lines that began it would leave the enemy unconstrained.
The yellow line marks the area of Gaza already under Israeli military control after Hamas’ October 7 attack and the October 7–10 war. The Litani River, about 40 km north of the Gaza border, has been a flashpoint for Lebanese militancy.
Ramallah‑based Palestinian authorities slammed the remarks, describing them as an explicit call for escalation, annexation and displacement that undermines prospects for an independent Palestinian state. The statement warned that such rhetoric could spark further violence.
According to an AFP tally based on Palestinian figures, 1,110 Palestinians—including militants—have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers or settlers, while Israeli data records 49 Israeli civilians and security personnel killed in attacks or military operations.
The call arrives as Israel heads to a national election on October 27, with Prime Minister Netanyahu fighting a tight contest and the far‑right pushing a hard‑line agenda that may shape campaign rhetoric.