Israel Katz: IDF Instructed to Prepare for War Against Palestinian Authority
Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that the IDF has been instructed to prepare for a full-scale war against the Palestinian Authority if its security forces attempt an October 7-style terror attack.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed a stabbing attack in Samaria on Monday, revealing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he have instructed the IDF to prepare for a potential full-scale military campaign against the Palestinian Authority (PA) and its security forces in the event of a mass terror attack attempt.
"I wish a speedy recovery to the person wounded in the stabbing attack in Samaria," Katz said. He defined Israel's policy in Judea and Samaria as "vigorously pursuing Palestinian terrorism, developing and strengthening Jewish settlement, and maintaining security stability."
The Defense Minister claimed that terrorism in Judea and Samaria is currently at its "lowest level in decades," emphasizing that Israel will take all necessary measures to prevent its resurgence.
The "Turn of the Barrels" Scenario
Katz then addressed the scenario of a "turn of the barrels" by the Palestinian Authority's security forces. He stated that if the PA security apparatus or affiliated bodies launch, or if Israel obtains concrete intelligence that they are about to launch, a "October 7-style" terror assault against IDF forces and Jewish settlements, Israel will respond with a broad campaign.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated:
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to prepare for the launch of a total war against the senior officials and apparatus of the Palestinian Authority, their affiliated bodies, and all terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria—to swiftly bring about their complete defeat."
Scope of the Potential Campaign
Katz detailed that under such a scenario, the military campaign could include targeted eliminations of senior officials, the evacuation of residents from towns and villages used as launchpads for terror activities, the elimination of militants, and the destruction of terror infrastructure. He added that the IDF would remain in the evacuated areas.
"Just as we did in the security zones in Gaza and Lebanon, and as we operated in the refugee camps in Jenin and northern Samaria. We will not allow a return to the reality of a multi-year intifada as in the past. We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7, and we will guarantee the security of Israel's residents and communities everywhere."
