Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also serves as a minister in the Ministry of Defense, announced on Tuesday the cancellation of the "Hebron Agreement" related to the city of Hebron, the largest city in the West Bank, in an additional blow to the Palestinian Authority, which condemned the violation of the political and legal status of the city and the bilateral agreements signed regarding it, warning that it undermines the peace process altogether.
Smotrich said during the laying of the foundation stone for the planned settlement of "Doron" to be built in Mount Hebron: "We have canceled the Hebron agreements, which have been for many years one of the most absurd provisions of Oslo (the agreement signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel in 1993) that was in force when authorities related to Jewish settlements in Hebron and the holy places were granted to the municipality of Hebron."
The historic handshake sponsored by U.S. President Bill Clinton between Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin after signing the Oslo Agreement in Washington in September 1993 (Getty)
Smotrich presented the decision to the political and security cabinet for approval in February 2026, and late Monday, it was announced that the "Supreme Planning Council" in the Israeli army's "Civil Administration" had approved the withdrawal of planning and construction powers in the "H2" area from the municipality of Hebron, which is located in the heart of Hebron and includes among other things the Ibrahim Mosque.
Hebron is the only Palestinian city in the West Bank that received a special agreement in 1997, dividing it into two areas H1 and H2 under the protocol related to the redeployment in Hebron, which was a continuation of the "Oslo II" agreement of 1995 and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process that began with the Oslo Accords in 1993.
Israeli soldiers secure the weekly tour for settlers in the streets of occupied Hebron in the West Bank (Reuters)
Under the Hebron Agreement, Israel withdrew its forces from the H1 area in Hebron, which represents about 80 percent of the city, and the Authority took responsibility for security and civil issues there, while Israel retained security control over the H2 area, which makes up 20 percent of the city and includes the old town and the Jewish settlement in Hebron, while civilian authorities in H2 were transferred to the authority.
Smotrich said: "This is much more than just a planning step; it is a historic adjustment. We are continuing the (settlement revolution), enhancing governance, and deepening Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank)."
According to Smotrich, this step applies to all "religious and historical sites" in Hebron. Channel 12 considered that this step means the "end of the Oslo era in the old city in the heart of Hebron."
It added: "The current decision effectively ends any connection of the Palestinian municipality to the area with a Jewish settlement and the Ibrahim Mosque, transferring full responsibility to Israeli authorities."
Israeli police officers arrest Palestinian children in Hebron in the West Bank (AFP)
The Palestinian presidency immediately warned of the seriousness of the step, considering that it affects the political and legal status of the city of Hebron and the bilateral agreements signed regarding it.
The presidency affirmed that these steps, unilateral, are rejected and condemned and violate the signed agreements with the Israeli side, and international legitimacy and international law that prevents the infringement of the status quo of the land of the State of Palestine under occupation.
The presidency called on the international community, particularly the U.S. administration, to intervene immediately and compel the occupying authorities to cancel this extremely dangerous step, which undermines the political process and the two-state solution, and the efforts of international powers aimed at achieving security and stability in the region and providing the appropriate climate to push towards achieving the two states on the 1967 borders.
Smotrich's step came as part of a path that the far-right minister began years ago, aiming to deepen Israeli control over the West Bank, a trend that has escalated in recent months, with the start of the Israeli election season.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that since early February, ministers Smotrich and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have been promoting a series of decisions to deepen the actual annexation of lands in the West Bank.
Israeli settlers accompanied by Smotrich raise an Israeli flag on Tuesday over a new settlement in Mount Hebron in the occupied West Bank (AFP)
These decisions, including the one related to Hebron, are expected to bring about radical changes in land acquisition practices in the West Bank, allowing the state to demolish buildings owned by Palestinians in area (A) entirely governed by the authority.
Smotrich ordered last month the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar village as part of his election campaign, which he is expected to fully exercise in the West Bank and Gaza Strip alongside other far-right leaders and parties who feel failed in Iran and Lebanon after U.S. President Donald Trump restrained them.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing increased criticism over failures in Iran and Lebanon, announced on Monday that he would run in the elections, saying, "I want to assure you, I will run in the elections, and I intend to win," as does Smotrich, the far-right security minister Ben Gvir, and the ultra-Orthodox parties.
The Israeli organization ``Peace Now'' accused Smotrich of trying to divert attention from the government's failures in the wars it has waged in the region since October 7, 2023.
The organization said: "After the government promised victory and failed on all fronts, Smotrich, obsessed with igniting fires, is trying to spark the crisis in the West Bank. This is a dangerous and irresponsible step from a failed politician ready to harm Israel's interests and its security in order to gain some votes from the far-right (Itamar) Ben Gvir (the far-right Israeli security minister)."