Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter Questions IDF Deterrence After Terror Attack

Retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter expressed frustration over the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) response to a deadly terror attack near the settlement of Gilead in the West Bank. In a video released on Monday, Winter criticized the IDF for not demolishing the homes of the terrorists involved in the attack, which resulted in the deaths of Binyahu Malat and Lt. Col. Yuval Ezra. He questioned why, days after the attack, the terrorists' houses remain intact, calling into question the effectiveness of the military's deterrence.

Winter contrasted the current situation with past IDF operations, noting that when ordered, the IDF can demolish terrorist homes swiftly and decisively, often within an hour and without extensive mapping or sealing efforts. He showed examples of homes destroyed in Gaza to illustrate how the terrorists' homes near the settlement of Tal should have been demolished immediately, ideally the day after the attack, to establish a clear deterrent.

His remarks highlight ongoing debates within Israeli security circles about the appropriate military response to terror attacks and the role of home demolitions as a deterrent measure. Winter's call for stronger action reflects broader public and political pressures on the IDF to prevent future attacks through more forceful retaliation.