The Israeli Minister of Security, Yoav Galant, warned this evening, Sunday, of the escalation of the security situation in the West Bank against the backdrop of the devastating war that the occupation has been waging against the Gaza Strip for 100 days, as well as in light of the Israeli government’s policies related to preventing the entry of workers from the West Bank to work in Israel and withholding clearing money from the Palestinian National Authority.

Galant said, following an assessment of the security situation at the headquarters of the “Judea and Samaria” Division (West Bank) of the occupation army, according to what was stated in a statement issued by the Ministry of Occupation Security, that the presence of “a strong Palestinian authority is an Israeli security interest,” stressing the need for caution. The war on Gaza could lead to an escalation of operations against the occupation forces throughout the West Bank.

In light of the intransigence of the partners of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, from the “Religious Zionism” movement in the government coalition, and their refusal to allow the entry of Palestinian workers from the occupied West Bank to work in Israel, as well as their refusal to transfer clearing funds to the Palestinian Authority without deducting the funds allocated to the besieged Gaza Strip, Gallant passed political messages.

Against the backdrop of security warnings issued by the Israeli army and the General Security Agency (Shin Bet), about the possibility of an imminent security escalation in the West Bank, Galant said: “Hamas is trying to connect Gaza with Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) and ignite a fire in the region. We must prevent that in any way.” "This may harm the achievement of the war's objectives."

The statement stated that Galant assessed the situation in the “Judea and Samaria” division, with the participation of the Commander of the Central Command, Yehuda Fuchs, the Division Commander, Yaki Dolf, and the commanders of the military divisions operating in the region, and listened to “a review of the intensive activities carried out by the security forces against hotbeds of terrorism ( According to his expression) in refugee camps, and operational efforts to protect the settlements.”

Galant claimed that the forces are working to "eliminate terrorism," referring to the resistance groups in the West Bank that have been subjected to an unprecedented Israeli escalation since the second intifada, which, since October 7, has resulted in the death of 350 Palestinians and the injury of about 4,000, including 593 children, and claimed that Israel avoids “harming civilians.”

He continued, "Hamas's goal in Gaza is to set fire to Judea and Samaria, and if possible, to the Temple Mount (the Holy Mosque) as well, in order to be liberated from the suffocating grip of the Israeli army. This is the story. The army is suffocating them. They built on the Iranians" and Hezbollah, and they built on exhausting Israeli society, and they also built on a dispute with the Americans. None of this benefits them.”

He considered that “what remains for them is to try to move other things, what is the most central thing? Trying to do something that would ignite the situation in Judea and Samaria and the Temple Mount, and in this aspect, I say again, your duty is to prepare for war, "Equip the forces, collect all relevant intelligence and remain on alert."

He claimed that settlers in the occupied West Bank “are showing responsibility,” and added, “The volume of violent incidents is decreasing significantly, and as I deal with this (violence) in other areas, the settlers’ participation in this matter (violence) is only partial. Violence is not an attribute ( In general) characterize the settlement.