Shomron Council Head Demands Urgent Plan Against Palestinian Security Forces Turning on Israel

Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council, has urgently called on Israel's Defense Minister, the IDF Chief of Staff, and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to develop a plan to counter a "barrel inversion" scenario. This scenario envisions Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces, ostensibly meant for policing, turning their weapons and capabilities against Israel and invading Israeli communities in the Shomron region, the Gaza envelope, and central Israel.

Dagan's demand follows the discovery of a tunnel, at least 25 meters deep, in Qalqilya, near Kfar Saba. The tunnel was in advanced stages of excavation, and the start of another tunnel was also found. Numerous weapons were discovered at the site. The discovery was made by the Shomron Anti-Crime Unit in the Judea and Samaria district and Border Police fighters.

Rafi Sa'ar, the mayor of nearby Kfar Saba, described the incident as "serious" and stated it demonstrates that the security threat to residents along the seam line is "real and immediate." Dagan warned that in addition to known terror groups like Hamas, Israel must also consider the growing armament of the PA security forces, which reportedly number around 60,000 fighters. These forces are said to possess specialized units for urban warfare and rapid raids, along with heavy weaponry including RPGs, sniper rifles, heavy machine guns, and armored vehicles.

Dagan emphasized that the concern is not theoretical, citing past instances where PA security personnel were involved in attacks against Israelis. He also pointed to the broader context of incitement against Israel, support for terror in education and media, and the PA's policy of financial support for imprisoned terrorists and their families. "The lesson of October 7th is not to wait for the threat to mature," Dagan stated, urging proactive measures against the developing threat from PA forces.