At the conclusion of a security assessment held now, Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to increase preparations to protect the settlements in Judea and Samaria and the main traffic routes against the possibility of surprise attacks on settlements, and terrorist attacks by extremist Islamic elements inspired by the rebel attack in Syria.
The situation assessment was attended by the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir, the Head of Military Intelligence, Major General Shlomi Binder, the Head of the IDF Operations Directorate, Major General Oded Basiuk, the Head of the IDF Ground Forces, Major General Eliezer Toledano, the Military Secretary to the Minister of Defense, Brigadier General Guy Markizano, and other senior officials in the defense establishment.
Defense Minister Israel Katz: "Israel is determined to defend its borders and settlements in the south, north, and east against any threat – we will not allow a return to the reality before October 7."
Last night, journalist Doron Kedosh reported that the security establishment is concerned about a "domino effect" due to the collapse of the Syrian regime, which could lead to a deterioration in the stability of the Palestinian Authority, potentially resulting in its collapse in extreme scenarios.
In the security establishment, they are closely monitoring the stability situation in the Palestinian Authority, and there are several factors and phenomena that cause them to pay attention to internal changes within the Palestinian Authority.
Unusual clashes and exchanges of fire in recent days between Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian security forces and armed militants from terrorist organizations in Jenin and Tulkarm – including casualties on both sides. At this stage, the events are confined to northern Samaria, but there is concern that they will spill over into other areas.
