JERUSALEM/ISTANBUL

The Israeli army on Thursday approved an “emergency plan” allowing the transfer of forces to the occupied West Bank from other fronts in the event of attacks there during September, local media said.

Israeli Channel 14, citing unnamed sources, said the “emergency plan” for the West Bank was prepared at the request of Defense Minister Israel Katz.

According to the outlet, the security establishment considers September a “sensitive period,” as several European countries are expected to recognize a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly meetings.

Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved the plan, which stipulates “freezing military operations in Gaza and moving forces to the West Bank in case of attacks to regain control of the situation there,” the sources said.

There was no comment from the Israeli army or the Defense Ministry on the report.

The Israeli government, dominated by the far-right, plans to annex the West Bank in response to recognition of Palestinian statehood by European countries, including France, Britain, Australia, Canada, and Belgium, at the UN General Assembly.

On Wednesday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that Israel plans to annex 82% of the occupied West Bank to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The international community, including the UN, considers the Israeli settlements illegal under international law. The UN has repeatedly warned that continued settlement expansion threatens the viability of a two-state solution, a framework seen as key to resolving the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

In an advisory opinion last July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.