14.08.2026 20:11
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz ordered the preparation of a plan to transfer the military's authority over Israelis seizing Palestinian land in the West Bank to the police. The decision came amid rising tensions in the region, following an increase in attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and Israel's decision to establish 104 new illegal settlements. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas described the move as an 'annexation attempt.'
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz ordered preparations for a plan to transfer the Israeli military's authority over Israelis who seize Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank to the police. Katz's statement came at a time when attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank are increasing and the Israeli administration has decided to establish 104 new illegal settlements.
According to a statement from the Israeli Defense Ministry office, Katz met with Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir and the heads of the Israeli military's intelligence units to discuss developments in the West Bank.
Katz, drawing attention to the increase in the number of Israeli settlers, instructed the military to prepare a plan to transfer all enforcement authorities regarding illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Israelis living there to the police.
"THE ISRAELI MILITARY'S JOB IS NOT TO CHASE CHILDREN ON THE HILLS"
Israeli Defense Minister Katz argued that the military's primary mission in the West Bank is security activities against Palestinians. Referring to attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, Katz stated that the responsibility for maintaining law and order on so-called "civilian" matters would be transferred entirely to the police, saying, "The Israeli military's job is not to chase children on the hills."
Israeli state television KAN reported that Katz's statement would not change the current situation on the ground in the short term. The report stated that under Israeli law, control in the occupied West Bank belongs to the Israeli military, and that the military already receives support from the police regarding Jews in the area.
KAN noted that a legislative process might be required to implement the said authority change. It was stated that the Israeli Parliament is in recess and there are approximately two months left until elections in the country. Meanwhile, Israeli media assessments suggested that if Katz's instruction were implemented, it could mean a new step toward the annexation of the West Bank.
SETTLERS IN KUSRA PITCHED TENTS IN FRONT OF PALESTINIANS' HOMES
Katz's statement came after tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the town of Kusra, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to AA, Israeli settlers re-pitched tents in front of the homes of Palestinian families. It was reported that Israeli soldiers arrived and demolished the tents, while settlers continued to besiege Palestinians' homes and obstructed the movement of those inside.
It was noted that Israeli soldiers maintained their presence in the area, and military vehicles and troops continued to enter and leave Kusra. It was reported that the Israeli military informed the Kusra Village Council that the military activity in the area would continue until Sunday morning with the aim of dispersing the tents set up by settlers.
US AMBASSADOR HUCKABEE: THE ATTACKERS ARE A SMALL MINORITY
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also made a statement regarding the attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Huckabee shared a report by The Jerusalem Post on his account on the US-based platform X, which included statements from Yisrael Ganz and Shai Alon, leaders of illegal Israeli settlements. Huckabee argued that the problem is not generally "Israeli settlers," but that the groups carrying out attacks are "settlement spoilers."
Huckabee stated that Ganz and Alon also do not see the actions of Israeli settlers as their own methods and condemn the attacks, adding that the media should pay attention to these statements and balance their reporting accordingly.
Huckabee's earlier characterization of Israelis who carried out attacks in the West Bank as "terrorists" had drawn a reaction from Israel. According to Israeli Army Radio, Israeli Minister Zeev Elkin stated that he does not view Israelis who attacked Palestinians in Kusra as "terrorists," saying, "It is necessary to fully apply the law against them and intervene with a firm hand."
PALESTINE: A STEP THAT WILL REINFORCE ANNEXATION
Palestinian Deputy President Hussein al-Sheikh strongly criticized the plan to transfer the Israeli military's law enforcement authorities over Israelis in the West Bank to the police.
Al-Sheikh stated that the initiative constitutes "a clear violation of international law, international legitimacy resolutions, and signed agreements." He argued that this step is a new attempt to impose Israeli laws and sovereignty in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to reinforce the annexation of occupied territories.
"All forms of settlement units are illegal," al-Sheikh said, emphasizing that Israel has no sovereignty over any part of the Palestinian territories it occupied in 1967.
Al-Sheikh called on the international community, especially the United Nations Security Council, to pressure Israel to stop its unilateral practices and ensure the Tel Aviv administration complies with international law and international legitimacy resolutions.
HAMAS: A STEP TOWARD ANNEXING THE WEST BANK
Hamas also reacted to Katz's instruction, arguing that the plan constitutes a step toward the annexation of the West Bank.
In a written statement by Hamas, it was alleged that transferring authorities regarding Israeli settlers to the police under Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir aims to consolidate Israel's control and occupation policies in Palestinian territories.
The statement noted that this step cannot be considered separate from the policies of the Israeli government, which aim to expand settlement areas and impose new statuses in the West Bank.
Hamas claimed that such a step by Israel would protect radical groups and lead to a further increase in attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank. The statement, which asserted that the Israeli government is trying to change the political and legal status of the West Bank through rapid decisions, expressed that these practices undermine Palestinians' right to self-determination and to establish an independent state.
Hamas also called on Arab and Islamic countries and the international community to act against Israel's plans to annex the West Bank.
If Israeli Defense Minister Katz's plan is implemented, a change in the distribution of authority regarding security and law enforcement practices related to Israeli settlers in the West Bank is expected. Meanwhile, assessments in Israeli media and on the Palestinian side indicate that this could have broader implications for the region's legal and political status.
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