Yossi Dagan (Shomron Council) and Israel Gantz (Binyamin Council), together with bereaved fathers from the 'Returning Home' forum, arrived at the scene of the attack near Havat Gilad on Friday and called on the government to take immediate steps to change the security reality, including taking over open areas in Areas A and B and turning them into Area C.
Friday's gathering at the site of the attack near Havat Gilad brought together two of the most senior regional leaders in Judea and Samaria, along with two bereaved fathers who lost sons in previous conflicts and now lead the 'Returning Home' (Shavim HaBayta) forum. The group called on the government to implement immediate changes to the security reality, specifically demanding that open areas currently designated as Areas A and B under the Oslo Accords be taken over and redesignated as Area C — which would place them under full Israeli military and civil administration.
The call came on the same day that Binyahu Melat was killed while defending hikers near the settlement outpost. The Zioneer earlier reported that Hamas praised the attack and that the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issued a statement supporting the killing and calling for 'popular defense committees' in Palestinian areas.
The demand to absorb Areas A and B into Area C represents a significant escalation of the settlement movement's political agenda, as it would effectively end Palestinian self-rule in large parts of the West Bank. The council heads did not specify a timeline for the government response, and no official statement from the Prime Minister's Office has been issued as of this writing.
- StrongPFLP condemns IDF elimination of four terrorists, praises murder of Binyahu Melat
- DevelopingBrother of slain activist Binyahu Melat: 'He was murdered because of our silence'
- DevelopingHunger-striking administrative detainee requests to attend funeral of slain friend in Havat Gilad
- ConfirmedActivist Binyamin Malet killed defending hikers near Havat Gilad
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