IDF Central Command Issues First Regulatory Order for Natural Gas Infrastructure in West Bank

The commander of the IDF Central Command, Major General Avi Blot, has signed the first comprehensive regulatory order governing the natural gas sector in the West Bank. This milestone follows a coordinated effort involving the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Energy, Civil Administration, and other professional bodies. The order establishes a legal and regulatory framework for the development and operation of natural gas infrastructure in the region, including licensing, supervision, enforcement mechanisms, and regulations for gas transmission and distribution networks.

The new framework provides the legal basis for constructing gas facilities, laying pipelines, and expanding the regional supply network. Officials from the defense establishment described the move as strategic, aiming to remove regulatory barriers, promote energy infrastructure development, and enable industrial and consumer connection to the natural gas grid. The initiative is expected to boost economic growth, strengthen local industry, and improve residents' quality of life while safeguarding public and security interests.

Defense Minister Israel Katz highlighted the order as a key step in the government’s efforts to strengthen settlements in the West Bank, emphasizing its role in establishing a modern natural gas sector that supports economic and industrial development and enhances civilian resilience with significant security components. Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich called the move "a tremendous breakthrough for settlements and industry," noting it will reduce energy costs, bolster the economy, and address longstanding infrastructure disparities. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen stated that expanding natural gas infrastructure is part of a broader energy development plan for the area, which will improve energy security, accelerate economic growth, and enhance residents’ living standards.