Retired IDF General Says Gilad Farm Incident Was Not Terror Attack, Settlers Provoked Clash

On July 24, 2026, retired IDF Major General Avi Mizrahi, former commander of the Central Command, spoke on 103fm about the volatile situation in the West Bank following the deadly incident at Gilad Farm in Samaria. The event, which resulted in the death of IDF officer Benyahu Malat and a member of the standby squad, has sparked widespread concern and anger regarding developments in the region.

Mizrahi described the daily reality in the West Bank as one of provocations by settlers, who he said deliberately seek friction to draw IDF forces into confrontations. He emphasized that these "tours" or incursions are not coordinated with the army, particularly when entering Area A, which requires a general's approval. Mizrahi clarified that the early morning entry of dozens of settlers, including children, into the village of Tel in Area A was unauthorized and aimed at provoking clashes, not a terror attack as commonly portrayed.

He warned that such provocations exhaust IDF forces, diverting them from their primary mission of counterterrorism and security. Mizrahi also highlighted the complexity of the situation, noting that many Palestinians killed in 2026 were not involved in terrorism or military actions. He cautioned against simplistic views that label all Palestinians as terrorists and stressed the importance of maintaining Israeli values and restraint.

Mizrahi further lamented the current lack of coordination and support for the Central Command compared to his tenure, when intelligence and civilian authorities worked in tandem to manage the area. He underscored the challenges faced by soldiers caught between Jewish settlers and Palestinians, emphasizing the need for balanced and strategic responses to prevent further escalation.

Summary: Retired IDF General Avi Mizrahi stated that the deadly incident at Gilad Farm was not a terror attack but a provocation by settlers entering Area A without coordination, leading to clashes. He warned that such actions strain IDF resources and complicate security efforts in the West Bank.

Points: - Retired General Avi Mizrahi says Gilad Farm incident was settler-provoked friction, not terror. - Settlers entered Area A village Tel without IDF approval, causing clashes and casualties. - Mizrahi warns provocations exhaust IDF forces, hindering counterterrorism operations. - Many Palestinians killed in 2026 were not involved in terrorism or military actions. - Mizrahi stresses need for restraint and maintaining Israeli values amid tensions. - He criticizes reduced coordination and support for Central Command compared to past.

Topic: security israel_relevant: true Entities: {"people": ["Avi Mizrahi", "Benyahu Malat"], "organizations": ["IDF", "Central Command", "Shin Bet"], "places": ["Gilad Farm", "Samaria", "West Bank", "Tel", "Area A"]}