IDF establishes new division, increases security presence in Judea and Samaria amid Iran war

The IDF has decided to increase security in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) amid concerns of Iranian-supporter terrorist infiltration in the area. The decision comes following Israel’s unprecedented Operation Rising Lion military offensive against the Iranian regime and its nuclear and military assets.

The Israeli military specifically established the new Gilad Division, which is tasked to provide security along the Jewish state’s long eastern border. IDF Central Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth and Division Commander Brig. Gen. Oren Simcha inspected the sector and the operational preparedness of the IDF forces.

Maj. Gen. Bluth stressed that Israel needs to maintain high security preparedness amid multiple ongoing threats. 

“We must not become complacent in the face of the enemy. The establishment of the Gilad Division is one of the key lessons learned from October 7,” Bluth assessed.

One unnamed security official articulated admiration for the boosted security arrangement. 

“A process that should have taken two months was completed in 48 hours,” an unnamed security official told the Israeli outlet Ynet News. 

Israeli authorities decided on Friday to impose closures on Palestinian Authority (PA) cities and towns due to concerns that local terrorists would carry out attacks against Israelis in support for the Iranian regime. However, the closures were lifted after the IDF dramatically boosted its manpower in Judea and Samaria, internationally known as the West Bank. 

The Iranian regime and its terrorist proxy Hamas have long tried to destabilize Judea and Samaria through terrorist attacks against Israelis. At the same time, Hamas has tried to undermine its political rival Fatah, which currently controls the PA from its headquarters in Ramallah. 

In November 2024, the IDF and the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet jointly uncovered and prevented an Iranian-led weapons smuggling operation in Judea and Samaria. 

“This is part of an ongoing Iranian campaign to destabilize the region's security by arming terrorist cells in Judea and Samaria, to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops,” the IDF Spokesman’s Office stated. Much of the illicit weapons smuggling is being done along Israel’s long border with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. 

In November 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the challenge of Iranian-led weapons smuggling efforts along Israel’s eastern border. 

“Iran is also operating on the eastern front to smuggle arms to terrorists in the West Bank,” Netanyahu stated. “We intend to strengthen our capabilities in this area and take various additional actions – alongside constructing a barrier to prevent the smuggling of weapons. This will be addressed immediately in the 2025 budget."

Israel is not the only player that is concerned about the Iranian regime’s efforts to increase its presence and influence in Judea and Samaria. 

In June 2023, an unnamed PA official warned that Iran had already established a presence in the area. 

“Iran is already here, in the West Bank,” the official warned. “The Iranians want their Palestinian agents to extend their control from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank."