Israeli Forces Evict Settlers From Illegal Outposts Including Military Landing Zone in West Bank

In recent days, Israeli security forces have intensified efforts to dismantle illegal outposts established by extremist Jewish settlers across the West Bank, including areas classified as Area B and near Palestinian villages. Following a failed eviction that led to a prolonged siege on homes in the village of Kusra, the military began conducting nighttime removals. Since a recent attack in the village of Tal, settler presence has increased to about 15 locations in the region.

In a particularly serious incident, settlers erected an unauthorized outpost on a military landing zone near the village of Yatma, close to Tapuach Junction in Samaria. This landing zone is critical for evacuating wounded soldiers and conducting operational missions. The settlers placed caravans there, rendering the site unusable for several hours and disrupting the IDF's operational capabilities. The outpost was removed after a few hours, with the IDF condemning the illegal construction on vital military infrastructure.

Security forces also evacuated another outpost near the village of Deir Istiya in Area B, close to Ariel. Following the evacuation, settlers blocked the nearby Yakir junction with stones and threw rocks at Palestinian vehicles and Border Police forces, damaging police vehicles. Four individuals were arrested during these disturbances. Additionally, about 60 extremists blocked the Emmanuel junction with stones and attempted to set fire to Palestinian olive groves, resulting in three more arrests.

Palestinians reported that settlers set fire to a house in the village of Khallet al-Fara near Yatta in southern Hebron, but police investigations attributed the fire to an electrical short circuit. Amid these tensions, the IDF has prioritized operational tasks in the West Bank, delaying some arrests of suspected Palestinian terrorists to focus on managing clashes between settlers and Palestinians.

On Friday, Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to prepare a plan transferring all enforcement authority over Israeli civilians in the West Bank to the police. This decision follows remarks by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, who emphasized that the military should focus on combating Palestinian terrorism and border defense, not policing settler activities. The plan is being developed in coordination with the police and relevant authorities and will be presented to the political leadership once finalized.