Israel Threatens Full-Scale War on Palestinian Authority Over Terror Attacks

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he have instructed the IDF to prepare for a full-scale war against the Palestinian Authority and its associated security mechanisms if they initiate or are known to be planning terror attacks against Israeli forces and settlements. Katz stated that such an escalation would be in response to a potential "October 7th-style" attack.

The directive aims to prevent a recurrence of prolonged intifadas, emphasizing a swift and decisive defeat of the PA and terror infrastructure in the West Bank. The proposed military campaign would include assassinating senior officials, evacuating residents from areas where terror attacks originate, eliminating terrorists, destroying terror infrastructure, and maintaining an IDF presence in evacuated areas.

Katz drew parallels to past Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and refugee camps in Jenin and northern Samaria, suggesting a similar approach would be adopted. The announcement follows a morning terror incident, though details of the specific event were not provided in the statement.