Jewish Resettlement Revives Northern West Bank Amid Security Challenges
Northern West Bank, once a hotspot of violence following the 2005 Israeli disengagement, is witnessing a historic turnaround as new Jewish settlements are being established and secured. The area, previously dominated by Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror activities, is now seeing a return of Jewish residents and improved security conditions. This transformation follows a series of government decisions and military operations aimed at reasserting Israeli presence in the region.
A recent military convoy, including 25 armored jeeps and protected buses, entered the settlement of Shanor in the northern West Bank despite heavy gunfire from nearby Palestinian villages. Soldiers refrained from returning fire, focusing instead on a Hanukkah candle-lighting event, symbolizing resilience amid conflict. On the return journey, the convoy faced further attacks with stones, Molotov cocktails, and live fire, but all personnel returned unharmed.
The security situation has markedly improved compared to the years following the disengagement, when only four Jewish settlements remained in the area, and roads were highly dangerous due to frequent attacks. The struggle to reestablish Jewish presence intensified after years of limited and risky visits, with activists and former residents pushing for return despite threats. Recent government backing, led by Defense Minister Bezalel Smotrich and military commanders, has accelerated settlement approvals and security operations, significantly reducing terror activity.
Settlements such as Homesh and Shanor have been resettled, while others like Ganim, Kadim, Noa, Rom Gilboa, Maayanot, Taanach, and Emek Dotan await official establishment. The Menashe Brigade base is also being reestablished in its historic location. Local leadership, including Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, a former evacuee himself, plays a key role in this revival.
The article argues that the success in northern West Bank should serve as a model for broader Israeli policy, advocating for the annulment of the Oslo Accords and expanded Jewish settlement in Areas A and B to ensure long-term security and sovereignty. The recent peaceful interactions between returning settlers and local Palestinians suggest a temporary lull in violence, but underlying tensions remain.
This historic shift reflects a strategic and ideological commitment to reclaiming and securing the northern West Bank, reversing years of retreat and insecurity.
