Israeli Defense Minister Orders IDF to Prepare for Additional West Bank Camp Takeover

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for the takeover of another refugee camp in the West Bank as part of an expanded offensive against terrorist organizations in the region. The directive was issued following a security briefing on Monday that included IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and senior defense officials. Katz's order follows the operational model previously implemented in the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur al-Shams, where camps were cleared of residents, terrorist infrastructure was dismantled, and the IDF established a permanent presence.

The decision aims to counteract a resurgence of terrorism, with Katz's policy backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Katz assumed the defense portfolio. According to defense sources, this approach has led to an approximately 80% reduction in terrorist activity during 2025, a trend continuing into 2026. The identity of the next camp targeted for takeover has not been disclosed.

The security meeting also included the heads of operations and intelligence, the Central Command commander, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the Judea and Samaria District Police commander, the defense minister's military secretary Brigadier General Hisham Ibrahim, and representatives from the Shin Bet and other security agencies.

This directive comes days after a deadly attack near the Gilad Farm, where Lieutenant Colonel Yuval Ezra and reserve Sergeant Binyahu Malt were killed, and other Israelis were wounded. Following the attack, IDF special forces and Shin Bet operatives raided a hospital in Nablus, arresting two wounded terrorists involved in the incident. Security forces continue efforts to apprehend all suspects involved and bring them to justice.