Israeli Commander Knew of Settler Home Seizure in Jericho, Sources Say

Israeli security sources revealed that Major General Avi Blott, commander of the IDF's Central Command, was aware in advance of settlers' plans to seize Palestinian homes in Jericho. The sources claim Blott met with settlers the day before the takeover and instructed them not to inform field officers until the operation was complete. This contradicts the IDF's official statement that the settlers acted without prior coordination or knowledge from the army, which spokesperson called "false allegations."

Further details emerged from security officials, as reported by Haaretz, indicating prior discussions between settlers, representatives of the "Binyamin" settlement council, the "Nahala" settler movement, and a regional defense officer named Yitzur Tarabelsi, who allegedly facilitated the coordination. These discussions reportedly finalized operational details, including the timing of the seizure and how army officers would be informed. Tarabelsi allegedly presented the plan to Blott in his office on Tuesday, the day before the settlers moved in, with Blott reportedly asking that the commander of the "Eglad" division not be informed, and that the "Jordan Valley" brigade commander be notified only after the fact.

Sources suggest the decision to withhold information from field commanders stemmed from "legal considerations related to the settlers' claims of purchasing the homes." Early army presence could have impacted the legal standing of the settlers' claims. The settlers reportedly sought to frame their actions as a property rights issue rather than a military-led takeover.

The seizure of eight homes in the "Deir al-Duyuk al-Tahta" area, classified as Area C, prompted the IDF to deploy three combat battalions, diverting them from border security duties. The IDF spokesperson stated the takeover, which occurred without approval, became a security mission requiring dedicated forces. Despite the IDF's claims of rejecting uncoordinated settler actions, Haaretz information suggests Blott's prior knowledge.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz were briefed shortly after the takeover by eight settler families. Minister of Settlement Affairs Orit Strock visited the homes, describing the action as part of "correcting the damage of the Oslo Accords" and advocating for a return to Gaza. The governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley stated the homes are on Palestinian government land, warning of potential expansion onto surrounding agricultural areas. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric condemned settler violence, reporting allegations of live ammunition use and physical assaults on Palestinians, and noted that the subsequent declaration of a "closed military zone" prevented humanitarian access.