IDF Brass Wants Out of Hebron Post-Election, Netanyahu and Katz Disagree

Senior officers in the IDF's Central Command believe the counter-terrorism operation in Hebron has run its course and that continued military presence is fueling tensions and potentially inciting attacks. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz are reportedly insisting on continuing the sweeps. According to Walla, the army command estimates that Israeli forces could withdraw from Hebron shortly after the upcoming elections. Military officials argue that further actions in the area, from which the perpetrators of a recent attack originated, are yielding diminishing returns and undermining the legitimacy of IDF operations.

During the "Lion's Roar" operation, hundreds of Arab families were evacuated from the vicinity of the terrorists' residences. While the military searched hundreds of structures, no weapons, ammunition, military equipment, or explosives labs have been discovered, the publication states. Based on these findings, the military command advocates for concluding the operation and withdrawing forces. Conversely, Netanyahu and Katz have demanded the army maintain its presence.

This disagreement reportedly led to a sharp dispute recently between IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Central Command chief Avi Balut, and 98th Division commander Brig. Gen. Mani Liberati, who favor ending the operation, and the Prime Minister and Defense Minister, who want it to continue. The disputes extend beyond Hebron, with security officials drawing parallels to operations in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur al-Shams refugee camps in Judea and Samaria. Those operations, despite political-command friction, involved large-scale actions, including evacuations, eliminating terrorists and infrastructure, and road expansion.

Proponents of continuing the Hebron operation argue that maintaining a military presence is crucial to prevent the resurgence of terrorist infrastructure and that the Palestinian Authority is unwilling and unable to combat terrorism independently in these areas. Investigations in Hebron have uncovered an extensive Hamas infrastructure operating with local support. Investigators are also examining potential foreign direction of terrorist activities, including from Hamas in Turkey. Security officials consider the evacuation of hundreds of buildings an unprecedented step, but the relatively small amount of discovered weaponry, in their view, means the operation cannot yet be considered complete.