The meeting, held after a deadly shooting near Kedumim in Samaria that resulted in the deaths of three Israelis—one police officer and two educational counselors—focused on the growing threat of terrorism in the region.
Katz emphasized the military's readiness for a full-scale conflict and outlined the security measures the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have implemented to counteract rising violence. These measures include increased military operations, preventative actions, and reinforced traffic enforcement. The Defense Minister highlighted the growing involvement of both the Iranian axis and the radical Sunni Islam groups in fueling terrorism in Judea and Samaria, pointing to arms smuggling, financial support, and strategic guidance from these factions.
Katz made it clear that Judea and Samaria have become central to Israel's security challenges. "We are seeing steadily growing threats to Judea and Samaria from the Iranian axis," he stated. "This region has become a focal point for efforts to foster Palestinian terror through external support, following the chaos in Syria."
Regional leaders, including Israel Ganz, expressed their grave concerns about the situation, noting that the West Bank can no longer be treated as a secondary issue in Israel's security strategy. Ganz stressed that over half a million Israelis living in the area are at risk, calling for a shift in strategy to decisively address the rising terror threat.
"We must change previous perceptions and strategy to eliminate terror in the West Bank," Ganz asserted. "Iran has established a foothold here, and the threat has reached a critical point." Katz reaffirmed Israel's commitment to protecting its citizens, emphasizing that the IDF is the sole guarantor of security, and the government will continue to act forcefully against terrorism and its sponsors.
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