Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly ordered the evacuation of certain settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who mentioned the directive on Sunday. Smotrich, a member of an extreme right-wing party, stated that Netanyahu had instructed the removal of outposts but did not specify their locations. He expressed personal disagreement with the order. Israeli media, including Ynet, reported the news, citing U.S. pressure as a potential reason for the directive. Netanyahu’s office did not confirm or deny the reports when contacted by the Associated Press. Netanyahu had previously committed to continuing the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a territory occupied by Israel since 1967. Settlement construction has risen significantly under his government, despite growing international criticism. Many of these settlements are built without official authorization and are often small, makeshift structures. In recent years, some unauthorized outposts have been legalized by Israeli authorities, further complicating the situation. Smotrich clarified that the evacuation applies to outposts built in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority and not officially approved by Israeli authorities. A strong advocate for the annexation of the entire West Bank, Smotrich claimed to have driven a "revolution" in constructing and legalizing homes, farms, and infrastructure in the occupied region. This expansion has intensified tensions in the area, where approximately three million Palestinians live alongside over 500,000 Israeli settlers. Violence in the West Bank has increased since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Settler attacks and Israeli military raids on Palestinian villages have become more frequent. In response, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee visited the West Bank to support American citizens of Palestinian descent affected by settler violence. He emphasized that "a crime is a crime" and warned that those responsible would face consequences. Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Huckabee for his stance and for personally visiting the region to observe the situation firsthand.