Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Monday that while terror in Judea and Samaria is at its lowest in decades, he and Prime Minister Netanyahu have instructed the IDF to prepare for a full-scale war against the Palestinian Authority if its security forces launch an October 7-style assault. Katz outlined measures including targeted eliminations, evacuation of Palestinian towns, and a lasting IDF presence on cleared ground, following a stabbing attack in Samaria.
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement Monday afternoon setting a clear red line for the Palestinian Authority, warning that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have instructed the IDF to prepare for a full-scale war if PA security forces launch an October 7-style assault. Katz, speaking after a stabbing attack in Samaria, outlined measures including targeted eliminations of senior PA figures, evacuation of Palestinian towns, destruction of terror infrastructure, and a lasting IDF presence on cleared ground—similar to the security zones in Gaza and southern Lebanon.
The directive follows a series of updates from The Zioneer today. At 11:53 Jerusalem, the desk reported that Katz and Netanyahu had ordered the IDF to prepare for a full-scale war against PA officials and terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, with the goal of swift defeat. A subsequent update at 14:45 Jerusalem added that during the pursuit of the suspect, the terrorist also attempted to stab a soldier. The new statement formalizes these plans with specific operational details.
Katz's warning extends a doctrine he has articulated repeatedly. As The Zioneer reported on Jun 15, Katz said that Prime Minister Netanyahu had clarified to President Trump that Israel will not withdraw from security zones in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. On Jul 1, during a visit to southern Lebanon, Katz stated the IDF would remain in these zones "until further notice." The same approach has been applied to northern Samaria. On Jul 24, following a separate Samaria attack, Netanyahu and Katz announced five immediate counter-terror measures. The defense establishment has consistently framed the maintenance of buffer zones and preemptive strikes as the primary lesson of the October 7 massacre.
The immediate operational focus remains the pursuit of the terrorist involved in Monday's attack. No response from the Palestinian Authority has been reported. Katz's directive remains conditional on a change in PA posture, and it is not yet clear whether the PA's security forces will alter their stance.
5 developments
- Developing1,000 days since Oct. 7: most Israelis fear another failure, poll shows
- DevelopingNew poll: 56% of Israelis support military action against Hezbollah even at risk of Iran confrontation
- DevelopingSurvey: Many older American Jews feel insecure, especially since Oct. 7
- DevelopingJudea and Samaria district commander warns October 7 scenario possible in Judea and Samaria
Source and signal
- Open-source intake