Israeli Defense Minister Orders IDF Plan to Transfer West Bank Civil Enforcement to Police

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz held a follow-up meeting on August 11, 2026, regarding the situation in the West Bank, with IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Central Command Commander, the head of Military Intelligence, and other senior security officials. Katz emphasized that the recent IDF operation to seize terror camps in northern Samaria was a crucial step in weakening terrorism and that preparations must be made to capture and clear additional camps if terror activity increases.

The discussion highlighted serious law violations and violent acts by a small minority of Jewish settlers, which have forced the IDF to allocate increasing resources to enforcement. Katz strongly condemned violence and unauthorized law enforcement by settlers and stressed the need for all civil enforcement in the West Bank to be handled by the Israeli Police, with effective inter-agency cooperation. It was agreed that the IDF would submit a comprehensive plan within two weeks, coordinated with the police and subject to IDF authority in the area.

Katz also underscored that expanding settlements is important for regional security. The Central Command commander supported allowing the establishment and regulation of farms where legally and security-wise feasible, based on prior planning and permits. The Defense Ministry’s legal advisors are advancing regulations to permit legal recognition of some farms. Additionally, economic deterrents will be considered against those conducting illegal or unregulated activities that impose significant costs on the security system, alongside criminal measures.