Smotrich's comments indicate that Trump's election has emboldened Israeli hard-liners to pursue full sovereignty over the West Bank, seen as a significant opportunity.
During Trump's first term, Smotrich stated, 'we were on the verge of applying sovereignty over the settlements' and now 'the time has come to make it a reality.'
Netanyahu's administration has significantly expanded Israel's presence in the occupied West Bank, which has escalated confrontation and violence between settlers and Palestinians.
The transfer of military control to Hillel Roth, an ally of Smotrich, is viewed as a deepening of Israel's management and occupation in the West Bank.
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