Jewish community leaders in Judea and Samaria are raising alarms over the risk of an October 7-like attack, citing intelligence on Iran’s deepening involvement in the region and escalating clashes between Palestinian Authority forces and Hamas.
In November, the Shin Bet and IDF successfully intercepted a significant arms shipment from Iran into Judea and Samaria. The cache included rockets, RPG launchers, remote-controlled explosives, mortars, bombs, rifles, and ammunition. However, Yisrael Gantz, Chairman of the Yesha Council, expressed concern about undetected shipments.
"Even a single missile smuggled and hidden in someone’s home could endanger every plane landing at Ben Gurion Airport," Gantz warned. He revealed that similar concerns were voiced weeks before the tragic events of October 7.
On Sunday, Judea and Samaria council heads sent a letter to Israel’s Security Cabinet, demanding a strategic overhaul to counter the growing threat. "The security situation in Judea and Samaria is not inevitable; it is a consequence of policy decisions," the letter stated. It emphasized the urgent need to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and relocate populations in areas tied to terrorism.
Gantz echoed these sentiments: "We must achieve 100 percent certainty in securing the region - there is no margin for error. The lessons of October 7 demand immediate and decisive action."
* The Jerusalem Post contributed to this article.
