Hundreds of Israeli Settlers Plan Tours Near Gilad Farm After Deadly Terror Attack

Following the recent deadly terror attack at Gilad Farm that claimed the lives of Lieutenant Colonel Yuval Ezra and security team member Benyahu Malt, hundreds of Israeli settlers are organizing extensive hiking tours in the area this coming Friday. The initiative, supported by hiking groups from across Israel and residents of Judea and Samaria, aims to assert a continued Israeli presence despite the attack. Organizers emphasize that the tours are not intended to provoke confrontations with the Palestinian population but to demonstrate resilience and maintain normal life in the region.

The organizers plan to coordinate with military and security authorities within the next 24 hours to secure the necessary permits and protection for the hikes. The response from the public has been notably strong, with hundreds expected to participate. Knesset Member Amit Halevi of the Likud party, who is in contact with the hiking groups, highlighted the strategic importance of increasing Israeli presence in the area. He criticized the Oslo Accords' division of territories into Areas A, B, and C, calling it a "bloody sham" and advocating for expanded settlement and activity even in Areas A and B to dismantle what he described as terrorist training grounds and to counter the threat posed by the Palestinian Authority.

This move reflects a broader political and security stance within the current government, led by Minister Bezalel Smotrich, to strengthen Israeli control and settlement in the West Bank, particularly in contested areas. The upcoming hikes symbolize a defiant response to terrorism and a commitment to sustaining Israeli life and sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.