Samaria Council Head Urges IDF Chief to Cancel Drastic Reduction of Security Troops in West Bank Settlements

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, sent an urgent letter to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir demanding the cancellation of plans to reduce the number of Home Front Command soldiers (Haganah Merhavit, HGMAR) in West Bank settlements. Dagan warned that the decision would create significant operational gaps on the ground and directly impact the security framework protecting the settlements and key roads.

In his letter, Dagan emphasized that in the current security reality, cutting the HGMAR forces would leave these communities without adequate protection. He highlighted that unmanned security posts, which have been staffed since the start of the war, would be left vulnerable, undermining the civilian security apparatus.

Dagan called on Zamir to halt the planned cuts and hold a professional discussion involving military and local authority representatives to explore suitable alternatives. He stressed that HGMAR troops are an integral part of the defense system for the settlements and surrounding routes, and any reduction risks endangering lives.

Concluding his appeal, Dagan expressed confidence that the Chief of Staff prioritizes the safety of West Bank residents and urged him to reconsider the decision in light of shared security responsibilities.