Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to expand offensive operations against Palestinian terrorism in Judea and Samaria and to prepare for the capture of an additional refugee camp, according to the Defense Minister's office. The directive follows the model used in the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps, which were evacuated of residents, cleared of terror infrastructure, and are now under permanent IDF presence.
Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF on Tuesday afternoon to expand offensive counter-terror operations in Judea and Samaria and to prepare for the capture of another refugee camp, according to the Defense Minister's office. The directive explicitly calls for replicating the operational model used in the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps, which were evacuated of residents, cleared of terror infrastructure, and are now under permanent IDF presence.
The Zioneer first reported the instruction at 13:00 Jerusalem time, noting that Katz had issued the directive following a security discussion with top military and intelligence officials. Shortly after, the Defense Minister's office elaborated that the model to be applied is the same as in the three camps already held. Katz also stated that the policy, which has been backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has led to an approximately 80% reduction in terror activity in Judea and Samaria over 2025–2026, justifying the expansion.
The instruction is part of a broader Israeli security doctrine of maintaining physical control over buffer zones across multiple fronts, as The Zioneer has reported. Katz has previously described the permanent clearance of contact-line villages and refugee camps as a key lesson from the October 7, 2023, attacks. The defense minister recently reiterated that Israel will not withdraw from security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza, and the same principle is now being applied to Judea and Samaria.
The specific camp to be targeted has not yet been identified, and the timeline for the operation remains unclear. The directive is a preparatory order, and the IDF is expected to conduct operational planning in the coming days.
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