Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed to Jewish community leaders in Judea and Samaria on Tuesday night that there are increased threats emanating from “the Iranian axis and the radical Sunni Islam axis.”
Speaking at a meeting with the heads of the Yesha Council – including Yisrael Ganz, the head of the Binyamin Regional Council, Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, Maale Adumim Mayor Guy Yifrach, Ariel Mayor Yair Shtavon and other officials, Katz said the IDF is taking “immediate steps” to strengthen security in the region.
Katz, along with IDF Central Command commander Maj. Gen. Avi Balut and COGAT chief Maj. Gen. Rasan Alian, said the IDF is increasing its military activities, conducting extensive counterterrorism activities and strengthening enforcement on traffic routes.
“Judea and Samaria have become a central arena on the map of threats to Israel, and we are preparing to respond accordingly,” Katz said.
“We are seeing increased efforts to promote Palestinian terrorism in Judea and Samaria through the smuggling of advanced weapons, funding and guidance from both the Iranian axis and the radical Sunni Islamic axis that is strengthening its grip on the region after the events in Syria,” he said.
“To our great regret, we have reached a situation where it is impossible to leave Judea and Samaria as a secondary arena,” Ganz agreed.
“Iran has established itself in our region and over half a million citizens of the State of Israel are sitting on a ticking bomb. We must not continue to live here with the same perception that existed on October 6 (2023),” he added.
“The security situation in Judea and Samaria is not a decree of fate, but the result of a policy that began with the Oslo Accords. Today is the time to change the directive and act with full force until terrorism in Judea and Samaria is eliminated.”
