Overview

• Israeli military has handed significant West Bank administrative powers to Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right minister.
• Smotrich plans to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state and empower settlers, complicating Israeli-Palestinian relations.
• Human rights groups warn that Smotrich's actions could lead to de facto annexation and violate international law.
• Reports indicate a rise in settler violence and Palestinian displacement since the power transfer began.
• The U.S. response to these developments remains uncertain, with potential implications for Israel-U.S. relations.