Yedioth Ahronoth: The Israeli Army Backtracks on Its Plan to Reduce Forces in the West Bank

Translation by SadaNews - The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Friday that the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, Eyal Zamir, decided last night during a meeting of the security cabinet to freeze the plan to reduce his forces in the West Bank.

According to the newspaper, as translated by SadaNews, Zamir informed the cabinet members of his decision following a protest move by Minister of Settlement, Orit Struck, who stated that the decision to reduce forces contradicts the government’s decision made last January as part of the first prisoner exchange deal, which is related to security risks after the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank.

During the discussion, a representative of the General Security Service (Shabak) reviewed the number of attack attempts in the West Bank, stating that so far this year, more than 1,200 attacks have been thwarted.

In light of this, Zamir announced the freezing of the reduction of forces, which was the decision made by the Israeli army leadership in the West Bank.

With the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip following the attack on October 7, the Israeli army has reinforced its forces in the West Bank and recruited thousands in the settlements and surrounding areas to prevent scenarios similar to those that occurred in the Gaza envelope.

From time to time, according to security situation assessments, the Israeli army has increased and decreased its forces.

Recently, the Israeli army leadership in the West Bank has enhanced security measures by installing technological security equipment and arming hundreds of settlers to defend the settlements.