Israeli minister promises annexation of West Bank settlements by 2025

Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli Finance Minister, promised on Monday the annexation in 2025 by Israel of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. At least four soldiers died in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Le Figaro takes stock of the latest events linked to the conflict.

Israeli minister promises annexation of West Bank settlements in 2025

A far-right Israeli minister, Bezalel Smotrich, on Monday promised Israel's annexation of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in 2025, saying he sees “an opportunity» in Donald Trump's return to power in the United States. During a speech in Parliament, Mr. Smotrich, Minister of Finance, also responsible for civil management in the West Bank, and therefore the settlements, affirmed that “creation of a Palestinian state (…) would endanger the existence of the State of Israel».

A settler himself, Mr. Smotrich specified that 2025 would be “the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria” and that he had instructed the administration to organize itself “to prepare the infrastructure necessary for application of Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank settlements. “I have no doubt that President Trump, who demonstrated courage and determination in his decisions during his first term, will support the State of Israel in this endeavor“, he said.

In a statement, the Palestinian foreign minister said:condemned in the strongest terms» the words of Mr. Smotrich, symptomatic according to him of a “racist colonialism par excellence» and a “repeated disregard for international law» encouraged by “the international failure to enforce United Nations resolutions relating to the Palestinian question».

Mr. Smotrich is due to participate in the gala in Paris on Wednesday.Israel forever», an event in support of Israel organized by several far-right personalities. The gala, for which French associations, unions and left-wing parties have unsuccessfully demanded the cancellation, will be held on the eve of the France-Israel football match. This meeting is considered “high risk” by the French authorities after the violence which occurred last Thursday in Amsterdam on the sidelines of a match involving the Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

Israeli army announces death of four soldiers in northern Gaza Strip

The Israeli army announced on Tuesday the death of four soldiers, killed in the north of the Gaza Strip, bringing to 376 the number of Israeli soldiers who have fallen in the Palestinian territory since the start of its ground operation on October 27, 2023.

«Names of four soldiers who fell in combat Monday in the northern Gaza Strip have been cleared for publication», Announced the army in a press release.

Civil Defense announces at least 14 deaths in Israeli strikes in Gaza

Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip announced Tuesday morning that at least 14 people had died in several Israeli strikes on the Palestinian territory.

«At least 14 people were killed and dozens injured early Tuesday morning after several (Israeli) strikes on the Gaza Strip», Said Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal to AFP.