Major General Mohammad Al-Samadi: Smotrich described 2025 as the “year of annexation,” which reflects the occupation’s intentions to intensify settlement and confiscate more land

Dr. Adnan Al-Afandy: A government plan to expand settlements and an agreement between the heads of the ruling coalition parties to demolish any new building built in Area C

Nevin Abu Rahmoun: The occupation is pursuing a policy of forced displacement by destroying homes and infrastructure and polluting water, which has caused the largest wave of displacement in the West Bank since 1967

Shadi Al-Sharafa: The occupation policies have entered a new phase that aims to impose complete control over Areas C and B in preparation for imposing absolute sovereignty over the West Bank

Imad Abu Awad: The coming period will witness an escalation of pressure on the Palestinians through land confiscation and demolition, with attempts to obscure the political dimension of the Palestinian cause

Suhail Khalil: Smotrich's statements regarding the escalation of aggression and the demolition of homes reflect the orientations of this extremist government with the support and encouragement of Trump

Observers and political analysts have warned of a dangerous Israeli escalation in the West Bank this year, following recent threats by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that in 2025 Israel will demolish more buildings in the occupied West Bank than are being built, for the first time since 1967. He also indicated that the Israeli government will continue to increase demolition operations and prevent Palestinian construction in areas under Israeli control, stressing that the 2025 budget will include a significant increase in resources allocated for this, by strengthening the workforce, purchasing new equipment, and developing modern technologies to monitor Palestinian construction. He explained that the matter is not only related to pursuing what he described as “illegal” construction, but also includes “a complete ban on Palestinian construction and the return of Israeli control over the land.”

In separate interviews with "Y", they indicated that the Israeli far-right government is moving towards imposing absolute control over the West Bank, as Smotrich described 2025 as the "year of annexation", noting that the daily raids on cities, villages and camps in the West Bank have escalated, reaching the level of the extensive military campaigns carried out by the occupation army in the northern West Bank, especially in Jenin and Tulkarm and their camps, which reflects the extremist tendencies of the occupation government.

They warned that the occupation policies in the West Bank have entered a new phase since Smotrich assumed the position of the second minister in the Israeli Ministry of War, in addition to his management of the so-called "Civil Administration", explaining that these policies aim to impose full Israeli control, not only over areas classified as (C), but also extend to areas classified as (B), in a clear step towards imposing absolute Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian land, while they pointed out that Smotrich's recent statements confirm that the essence of the conflict is control over the land and the geographical space of the Palestinian population, noting at the same time that the 2025 budget includes a significant increase allocated for demolitions, in addition to developing new surveillance technologies targeting Palestinians and construction in the West Bank.

Warning of a dangerous Israeli escalation in the West Bank

Jordanian military and strategic expert, Major General Muhammad Ali Al-Samadi, warned of a dangerous Israeli escalation in the occupied West Bank during the year 2025, as Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to carry out demolitions of Palestinian homes that exceed what is being built.

Al-Samadi stressed that the Israeli occupation government, led by the extreme right, is moving towards imposing absolute control over the West Bank, noting that Smotrich described the year 2025 as the "year of annexation," which reflects the occupation's intentions to intensify settlement and confiscate more Palestinian lands.

“Smotrich says, ‘Whoever controls the land determines its future,’ and this is true if we are to be realistic. They control it in the absence of an effective Arab position against their ambitions and greed. When we say that in 2025 more Palestinian buildings will be demolished in the West Bank than are built, this means that it will be the first time since 1967 that such crimes will be committed with such intensity,” he said.

He pointed out that "the available information indicates that the demolitions will not be limited to what Israel calls illegal or unlawful construction, but will include an absolute ban on Palestinian construction and the restoration of full control over these lands."

Al-Samadi added: We are now talking about the absolute control of this usurping entity led by the far-right government, in light of the existence of security coordination and the absence of an Arab position capable of deterring Zionist ambitions.

He pointed out that "it is expected that the extremist Israeli government, with its expansionist policies, will prevent Palestinians from building or reclaiming land, especially in Area C in the West Bank, as any construction or reclamation process requires permits from the occupation, and now it seems that it will be impossible to obtain any permit."

Al-Samadi explained that the second Oslo Accord in 1995 classified Area C, which represents 61% of the West Bank, under full Israeli control, and now there are attempts to annex this area to Israel, in addition to the Jordan Valley.

He pointed out that the number of settlers has increased significantly in the West Bank, and that there are expanding settlement, agricultural and pastoral outposts, in addition to the confiscation of more Palestinian lands.

Al-Samadi revealed worrying Israeli military movements, as a new military division was formed on the Jordanian border, in addition to military maneuvers that recently took place in the Golan and on the western side of the Jordanian border, reaching the western areas of the Dead Sea.

Al-Samadi stressed that these movements come within the framework of preparing for an operational deployment process and testing military plans for the future annexation process.

Al-Samadi warned that the absence of a unified and strong Arab position, in addition to security coordination operations between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli occupation towards these Israeli policies, encourages the occupation to continue implementing its plans, which enhances the occupation’s chances of imposing a new settlement reality on the ground.

Al-Samadi concluded his speech by stressing that the next stage will be decisive, as the West Bank will witness an unprecedented settlement escalation, unless there is a unified, joint and strong Arab position to confront these plans.

Escalation of aggression and extremist tendencies of the occupation government

Dr. Adnan Al-Afandy, an expert in Israeli affairs, said that since Benjamin Netanyahu took over as head of the far-right Israeli government, this government has drawn up a plan to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank.

He pointed out that there is an internal agreement between the heads of the ruling coalition parties to demolish any new building erected in Area C in the West Bank within a short time, with the aim of granting Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who holds the position of Minister in the Israeli Ministry of War, more powers in managing civil affairs related to the West Bank.

Al-Afandy added: The daily raids on Palestinian cities, villages and camps in the West Bank have escalated and reached the level of the extensive military campaigns carried out by the occupation army in the northern West Bank, especially in Jenin, Tulkarm and their camps, which reflects the extremist tendencies of the occupation government.

Smotrich threatens to demolish the largest number of buildings in the West Bank

Al-Afandy pointed out that Smotrich vowed to escalate this policy during the year 2025, stressing that the occupation will demolish a greater number of Palestinian buildings in the occupied West Bank than at any time since its occupation in 1967.

He added that Smotrich embodies, through these practices, his famous saying: “Control of the land is the essence of the conflict, and whoever controls the land determines its future.” With this saying, he summarizes the extremist religious Zionist theory of the conflict with the entity state.

He pointed out that the occupying state has intensified settlement operations in the West Bank since 1967, but they have escalated in an unprecedented manner since the start of the aggression on the Gaza Strip on October 7.

categorical rejection of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state

Dr. Al-Afandy explained that the statements issued by the pillars of the extreme right-wing Israeli government reflect a categorical rejection of the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, which indicates an upcoming escalation against the Palestinians, especially in settlements and house demolitions with the aim of emptying areas for the benefit of settlement expansion.

He added that the Hebrew media leaks confirm that the intensive raids in the northern West Bank will gradually expand to include the Palestinian camps throughout the West Bank.

Al-Afandy stressed that the storming and demolition of Palestinian homes carried out by the occupation forces constitute a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people and clearly contravene international law, pointing out that the United Nations has confirmed the illegality of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank through statements by its officials, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

He stressed that the current stage requires all Palestinian people, regardless of their political orientations, to unite in confronting these racist and extremist policies.

At the end of his speech, Al-Afandy pointed out that these settlement and expansionist steps enjoy clear support from the United States of America, noting that the statements of US President Donald Trump and his decisions regarding military support for Israel confirm this complete bias towards the occupying state.

Escalation aims to change the political and demographic landscape

Israeli affairs expert Nevin Abu Rahmon confirmed that the West Bank is witnessing the largest wave of Palestinian displacement since 1967, with the number of displaced persons exceeding 4,000 people as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression.

She explained that the Israeli occupation is pursuing a policy of forced displacement by demolishing homes, polluting water, and destroying infrastructure, especially in the camps, in an attempt to re-engineer them to serve its interests.

Abu Rahmon pointed out that what is happening represents a dangerous escalation that aims to change the political and demographic scenes in the West Bank, as Israel seeks to empty the West Bank of its struggle and combative content, within the framework of the plan of settlement, annexation and expansion.

She stressed that the occupation is imposing a new reality through the excessive use of military force to achieve its goals.

She stressed that the current stage carries great danger from the Israeli government on the one hand and the settlers on the other, especially in light of the increase in their attacks that reflect a new policy represented in strengthening pastoral settlement, as the settlers work to control lands, farms and natural resources, especially in Area C, which constitutes the economic and strategic nerve of the West Bank.

She added: Expanding the powers of the settlements and their leaders has made them almost isolated and independent in their decisions across Palestinian geography, which reflects the occupation's quest to impose unprecedented control.

Israel considers this stage a golden opportunity to expand its influence.

She also stressed that Israel, which was established on colonialism, considers this stage a golden opportunity to expand its influence, taking advantage of the resistance's preoccupation in Gaza to complete its plans in the West Bank.

Abu Rahmon explained that the person currently leading the Israeli political system adopts the doctrine of religious Zionist settlement and possesses a deep ideology to implement the “Greater Israel” project.

She explained that the current annexation plan cannot be separated from the Nation-State Law enacted by Israel, as this law paved the way for extending Israeli control over the so-called "Land of Israel", based on biblical interpretations.

Abu Rahmon concluded her speech by stressing the necessity of confronting this creeping settlement plan through a unified Palestinian popular movement, capable of establishing the historical right of the Palestinians to their land, and confronting the occupation’s attempts to impose a new reality by force.

control of land and geographic space

Shadi Al-Sharafa, an expert in Israeli affairs, confirmed that the occupation’s policies in the West Bank have entered a new phase since Bezalel Smotrich assumed the position of second minister in the Israeli Ministry of War, in addition to his management of the so-called “Civil Administration.”

He explained that these policies aim to impose complete Israeli control, not only over areas classified as (C), but also extend to areas classified as (B), in a clear step towards imposing absolute Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian land.

Al-Shurafa pointed out that Smotrich's recent statements confirm that the essence of the conflict is control over the land and geographical space of the Palestinian population.

He revealed that the 2025 budget includes a significant increase in demolition operations, in addition to developing new monitoring technologies targeting Palestinians and construction in the West Bank.

He added that the occupation is no longer satisfied with demolishing what Israel classifies as "illegal" construction, but is now seeking to completely prevent Palestinian construction in Area C, with a future intention to expand this policy to Area B, which means re-imposing Israeli control over the land in a systematic manner.

Stop issuing building permits in Area C

He stressed that since October 7, Smotrich has expanded the policy of demolishing Palestinian homes and facilities, as he completely stopped issuing building permits in Area C, and the occupation forces demolished more than 1,400 Palestinian facilities, displacing about 1,200 Palestinians, according to UN reports. The policy of "pastoral settlement" has also been strengthened, as 138 new settlement outposts have been established, reflecting the acceleration of settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Al-Shorfa explained that the occupation is focusing in particular on Area C, which constitutes about 60% of the West Bank, with the aim of forcing Palestinians to migrate to Area A, and transforming these areas into isolated “cantons,” similar to the system that prevailed in South Africa during the apartheid era.

He pointed out that the increasing settler attacks are forcibly pushing Palestinians to leave their lands, an approach rooted in Zionist thought, which Smotrich is gradually implementing to make life in the West Bank unsustainable.

Al-Shurafa pointed out that the occupation has moved from the "carrot and stick" policy to a policy of direct repression without providing any economic incentives as it was in the past.

He added that Smotrich himself was behind the imposition of more than 900 military checkpoints in the West Bank after October 8, which led to the dismemberment of Palestinian cities and towns, and dealt a severe blow to the Palestinian economy.

Deliberate steps to destroy the Palestinian entity

He also pointed out that the occupation continues to confiscate Palestinian clearance funds on a monthly basis, which exacerbates the economic crisis and weakens the financial position of the Palestinian Authority, within the framework of a systematic policy aimed at undermining any possibility of the survival of a Palestinian political entity.

Al-Shorfa concluded his speech by warning of the danger of these policies, pointing out that the occupation is taking deliberate steps to destroy the Palestinian entity, whether on the political, economic or geographical level. He expressed his regret for the absence of a clear Palestinian national strategy to confront these challenges, in light of the failure to form a national rescue front to confront the dangers that threaten the future of the Palestinian cause.

Settler associations specializing in monitoring Palestinian activity in Area C

The expert in Israeli affairs, Imad Abu Awad, believes that the religious Zionist project is an old-new project, based on seizing the largest possible area of the West Bank lands, while reducing the Palestinian presence there to the minimum possible.

Abu Awad pointed out that there are settlement associations specialized in monitoring Palestinian activity in areas classified as (C), where they work to continuously demand the demolition of homes, tighten the noose, and expel Palestinians from these areas.

He explained that Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who holds the positions of Minister of Finance and Minister in the Ministry of Defense, is leading a fierce military campaign in the northern West Bank, which includes demolishing Palestinian homes and expelling them from the Jordan Valley and other population centers, which led to the displacement of some Palestinians from rural areas and the outskirts of cities to their centers.

Abu Awad stressed that this policy aims to expand demolition operations in the West Bank under various pretexts, a project that is being overlooked internationally, in light of the deterioration of the internal Palestinian situation, as the Palestinian Authority has become a mere administrative body, whether officially or unofficially.

He added that the Palestinian issue is now being managed regionally under the slogan of confronting the "Trump plan," which he sees as a mere political illusion, the aim of which is to impose more Palestinian concessions.

Abu Awad warned that the coming period will witness an escalation in pressures on the Palestinians, through land confiscation and home demolitions, with attempts to obscure the political dimension of the Palestinian issue, under the pretext of preserving the status quo and not escalating, for fear that this will lead to a more violent Israeli reaction.

Escalation coincides with the absence of a decisive international position

In turn, the analyst and specialist in settlement affairs, Suhail Khalil, confirmed that the statements of the Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, regarding the occupation government’s intention to demolish Palestinian buildings in the West Bank during the year 2025 at a rate exceeding what is being built, clearly reflects the extremist tendencies of this government.

He explained that this escalation comes in the context of support and encouragement from US President Donald Trump, who expressed his absolute support for Israeli measures against the Palestinians.

Khaliliya pointed out that this policy coincides with the absence of a decisive international position capable of confronting these Israeli threats, despite the fact that they amount to war crimes, as they constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

He explained that Smotrich's announcement targeting all forms of Palestinian construction in areas classified as (C), and not just what the occupation considers "illegal", represents a clear violation of the Palestinians' housing rights, which were approved by the United Nations.

Khaliliya added that the continued international support for the occupation government is evident in the financial and military aid it receives, in addition to the refusal of many countries to adopt effective boycott policies against Israel.

He pointed out that Smotrich's plans, which include increasing the 2025 budget to enhance demolition and monitoring operations, include purchasing modern technologies such as aerial photography, and allocating field crews to closely monitor Palestinian construction.

He stressed that these measures confirm that what is happening in the West Bank is not just an expansionist settlement policy, but an organized war crime that the international community must take urgent action to stop.