IDF Chief Considers Former Commander to Halt West Bank Settlement Expansion

Following the appointment of Brigadier General Hesham Ibrahim, the current head of the Civil Administration, as the military secretary to Defense Minister Yoav Kitz, the IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, is conducting advanced discussions on Ibrahim's replacement. The leading candidate for the role is Brigadier General (res.) Fares Attila, who previously served as head of the Civil Administration.

Attila's potential return has already sparked controversy among settlers and right-wing groups. A senior settler official described the appointment as "catastrophic," warning it would provoke significant anger and strong opposition from the settlement community. He argued that such a move could reverse the substantial progress the settlements have made in recent years under government support and initiatives.

Attila is viewed as a representative of the "old system," which treats Judea and Samaria as solely under military administration and imposes obstacles to the civilian transformation occurring in the West Bank in recent years. The decision on his appointment is expected to have major implications for the future of settlement policy and administration in the region.