Is Israel’s Smotrich fulfilling his dream of annexing the West Bank?
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/21/is-israels-smotrich-fulfilling-his-dream-of-annexing-the-west-bank
About a month ago, a quiet transfer happened. The Israeli army’s Civil Administration handed more control over the occupied West Bank to the Settlements Administration, led by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in an illegal settlement himself.
Now Smotrich and his Settlements Administration control more things, like building regulations and the management of farmland, parks and forests.
Since he entered government, Smotrich has pushed openly for more Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank – illegal under international law – as steps towards annexation.
Three Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in occupied West Bank
At least three people were killed after Israeli special forces shot at a vehicle in the centre of Qalqilya, northern occupied West Bank. The Israeli forces also reportedly besieged a building in the centre of the city.
A Red Crescent official in Qalqilya told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces prevented his crews from approaching the car that was targeted.
Israeli forces confiscate vehicle after allegedly killing three in West Bank
Earlier, we reported that at least three people were killed when Israeli special forces allegedly shot at a vehicle in central Qalqilya in the northern occupied West Bank.
Two separate videos, broadcasted on local Palestinian platforms and verified by Al Jazeera’s Sanad agency, have emerged showing Israeli forces removing the dead bodies, and confiscating the vehicle.
The footage also showed the impact of blood on the street where the Israeli forces carried out their military operation.
