Israel Orders IDF to Prepare for Full-Scale War Against Palestinian Authority

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for a "full-scale war against senior officials and mechanisms of the Palestinian Authority." This directive follows a recent stabbing attack in Samaria where an Israeli was moderately to severely wounded. Katz stated that the "full-scale war" would also target entities connected to the PA and all terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, aiming for their "complete and swift defeat."

The directive is conditional on the Palestinian Authority's security forces initiating hostilities or if there is certainty they are planning a terror attack similar to the October 7th events against IDF forces and Jewish settlements. Katz emphasized Israel's policy in Judea and Samaria: vigorously pursuing Palestinian terror, strengthening Jewish settlement, and maintaining security stability. He asserted that terror levels in the region are currently at their lowest in decades and that all necessary measures will be taken to prevent its resurgence.

Katz further elaborated that Israel will not permit a return to a prolonged intifada scenario. Instead, the plan involves a comprehensive campaign against the PA and all terror infrastructure, including targeted assassinations of senior figures, evacuation of residents from areas where terror attacks originate, elimination of terrorists, destruction of terror infrastructure, and continued IDF presence in evacuated areas. He drew parallels to operations in security zones in Gaza and Lebanon, and in refugee camps in Jenin and northern Samaria, vowing to prevent another October 7th and ensure Israeli security.

In a related development, IDF soldiers killed the Palestinian militant who carried out the stabbing attack in Samaria. After the attack, soldiers set up roadblocks and located the suspect near his vehicle in the village of Idna. The assailant attempted to stab the soldiers, prompting a company commander from the 411th Battalion to open fire and neutralize him.