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The UK and four other countries have sanctioned far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir over West Bank rhetoric. Hours after the sanctions were announced yesterday, Smotrich threatened Palestinian economic retaliation.
The announcement was coordinated between the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway, who all imposed personal sanctions on the controversial right-wing ministers. They accused the two of inciting extremist violence and encouraging serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. The sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans, though they stop short of targeting the Israeli government – with the pair sanctioned in their personal capacities.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the ministers’ actions had crossed a red line. The Foreign Office stated that extremist settler violence in the West Bank undermines both regional stability and the viability of a future Palestinian state.
However, the United States sharply condemned the sanctions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that the move would not advance ceasefire negotiations, hostage releases or broader peace efforts.
Hours after the announcement Smotrich ordered a halt to indemnity payments to Palestinian banks, a move that could destabilise the Palestinian financial system. These payments support longstanding arrangements enabling cross-border banking between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Smotrich claimed the move was justified by what he called the PA’s international campaign of “delegitimisation” against Israel.
In related news, Washington is sceptical about the prospects of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said yesterday, stating he thinks the idea won’t happen “in our lifetime.” Speaking to Bloomberg, Huckabee said the US still backs a ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza, but does not view a sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank as viable. He suggested that any future entity would be outside existing territories and under tight controls.
Elsewhere, Israeli forces have conducted a major operation in the Nablus, which Palestinian officials described as the largest in two decades. The IDF said over 250 structures were searched, six wanted suspects arrested, and weapons including a ‘Carlo’ gun seized. Two suspects were shot dead after attempting to grab a soldier’s rifle. One soldier was moderately wounded; three were lightly injured. In nearby Tulkarm, two more arrests were made, a weapons cache dismantled and over 100,000 shekels in terror funds confiscated.
Meanwhile, the body of Thai farm worker Natthapong Pinta, killed in Gaza after his 7 October abduction, has been flown home after a ceremony at Ben-Gurion Airport. Pinta had been working on an avocado farm in Israel when Hamas militants crossed the border and seized him. His body was recovered during IDF operations in Rafah. Thai officials held a reception at Bangkok airport to receive his remains.
And a report that Israel aims to shut down UNIFIL peacekeeping operations in southern Lebanon drew clarification from the United States. While Israel has proposed reviewing the UN mandate, the White House denied that a termination decision had been made. Discussions are ongoing between US and Israeli officials on the force’s future.
Houthi terrorists in Yemen fired a missile toward Israel yesterday. Hours earlier, Israeli naval forces struck Houthi positions in Hodeidah and issued evacuation orders for the ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah and Salif. The IDF said the intercepted missile followed intelligence-led strikes on military infrastructure used by the Houthis.
The US and EU have submitted a resolution to the IAEA, the nuclear watchdog, demanding Iran reverse its nuclear violations or face formal censure by the agency’s Board of Governors. The resolution cites Tehran’s refusal to cooperate with inspectors and its enrichment of uranium near weapons-grade levels. A vote is expected by the end of the week.
Finally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “significant progress” had been made in hostage negotiations but warned it is too early to be optimistic. The security cabinet is set to meet this week to review the situation. Israeli officials said Hamas has not formally accepted the latest terms and that no breakthrough has been confirmed.
Separately, the family of captive soldier Matan Angrest released new footage and medical evidence about his deteriorating condition. Video shows him disoriented and bleeding after being seized on 7 October from a burning tank near Nahal Oz.
According to testimony from former hostages and doctors, Angrest suffers from chronic asthma, untreated burns, facial fractures, and high fevers. He has reportedly endured repeated electric shocks during interrogations and has been returned unconscious to tunnels without medical care. His family said they released the documentation to compel Israeli officials to act with urgency.
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