IDF Deploys Specialized Border Police Unit to Judea and Samaria
The IDF is deploying a specialized Border Police company to Judea and Samaria to combat nationalist crime, enhancing tactical response capabilities under Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
The IDF is deploying a dedicated Border Police company to Judea and Samaria to combat nationalist crime and violence. Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, approved the measure following a recommendation by the Central Command. The specialized unit will focus on hotspots of violent incidents and act as an operational arm for intelligence gathered by the police and Shin Bet.
Operational Focus and Training
The training of the new company is already underway, with operational deployment expected by the end of next month. Unlike standard infantry battalions, Border Police fighters possess specific law enforcement powers, allowing them to conduct arrests and handle civil disturbances more effectively. Security officials estimate that the addition of this single specialized company carries operational utility equivalent to two infantry battalions.
"The deployment addresses recurring coordination gaps and provides a dedicated tactical response to ongoing security challenges in the region," a senior defense official noted.
Broader Security Context
The formation of the unit follows recent high-profile incidents of violence in the Binyamin region, which highlighted difficulties in coordination between military forces and law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently directed the National Security Council (NSC) to establish a dedicated headquarters to coordinate policy on the issue, following diplomatic inquiries from senior US officials. Defense Minister Israel Katz is also overseeing broader administrative efforts to transition civilian enforcement authorities over Israeli populations in the territory to regular police jurisdiction.
