Israel Weighs Palestinian Security Forces Turning Arms Against IDF

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are increasingly discussing the scenario of Palestinian security forces in Judea and Samaria turning their legally held weapons against Israeli targets, a situation dubbed "turning of the barrels." The concern was reportedly raised by Netanyahu during a recent meeting with the IDF chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, while the military was presenting an assessment of rising violence by radical Jewish settlers. Zamir acknowledged that the IDF trains for such a scenario, with the Judea and Samaria division having practiced it, and stated, "If it happens, we know how to act." However, the IDF currently lacks intelligence indicating any active plan by the Palestinian Authority to do so.

Netanyahu has previously voiced similar concerns, referencing both Palestinian security forces and Arab citizens of Israel in February and December 2023. The issue has been a recurring topic in the current war cabinet and military command meetings. At a recent meeting, data showed a decrease in Palestinian terrorism but an increase in Jewish nationalist violence, which Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth described as a potential spark. This increased focus on countering Jewish violence has diverted IDF resources.

Despite the lack of specific intelligence, the IDF is preparing for extreme scenarios. Zamir recently placed a division's headquarters on heightened alert due to escalation fears in Judea and Samaria. The IDF has intensified operations in the region, including an airstrike on Jenin, and has reinforced its presence and defensive measures in settlements and along roads, particularly since October 7th.

Some Israeli ministers acknowledge the possibility of such a scenario post-October 7th, stating that while the army doesn't dismiss such concerns, security measures for settlements have been significantly enhanced. They note that even with extensive security measures, the risk cannot be entirely eliminated, citing the proximity of Israeli settlements to Palestinian population centers.

Palestinian officials, however, view these statements as a pretext for conflict, aimed at weakening the Palestinian Authority and serving Netanyahu's domestic political agenda. Governor of Tulkarm Governorate, Abdalla Kamel, a former senior security official, denied possessing offensive or smuggled weapons, stating that the PA's arms are light police-issue weapons like Kalashnikovs, intended solely for law enforcement under international supervision. He believes Netanyahu seeks to provoke a confrontation and undermine the PA's existence, warning that weakening Palestinian security forces could create a vacuum, increase instability, and ultimately harm Israeli interests.