Samaria Regional Council Head Urges IDF Chief to Cancel Troop Cuts in West Bank Settlements

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, has sent an urgent letter to IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, demanding the cancellation of planned reductions in the Border Defense Soldiers (GEMAR) forces stationed in Judea and Samaria settlements. Dagan warned that in the current security environment, cutting these forces would create significant operational gaps and directly compromise the security of the settlements and surrounding roads.

In his letter, Dagan detailed the severe operational consequences of the troop cuts, emphasizing that settlements would be left without adequate security if the reductions proceed. He highlighted that many security posts, continuously manned since the outbreak of the war, would become unmanned, severely damaging the civilian security framework in the area.

Dagan called on the military leadership to halt the planned cuts and hold a professional discussion involving military and civilian authorities to explore alternative solutions. He expressed confidence that the Chief of Staff prioritizes the safety of Judea and Samaria residents and urged him to reconsider the decision to avoid creating dangerous security gaps that could risk lives.