Netanyahu orders evacuation of unauthorized Israeli outposts in Judea and Samaria

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered on Sunday the evacuation of several unauthorized Israeli outposts in Judea and Samaria following heavy pressure from the White House, including a public rebuke from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

The move comes amid sharply rising tensions in the region and growing security concerns in the West Bank, as Israeli officials warn of increased terrorist activity and reports that Iran is preparing to mobilize its remaining proxy forces for a potential October 7-style attack on Israel, possibly during the upcoming High Holy Days.

There are approximately 100 unauthorized outposts throughout Judea and Samaria, including about 15 to 20 in Areas A and B, according to Israeli defense officials. Some consist of little more than crude structures or collections of tents with only a handful of residents, while others contain more permanent structures occupied by dozens of families.

Netanyahu’s immediate orders focus on evacuating Jewish outposts in Area B, which, under the 1993 Oslo Accords, is under the civil control of the Palestinian Authority (PA).

“What worries the prime minister most right now is the American administration, which is very concerned that what is happening in Area B will expand,” Israeli officials familiar with the situation told media outlets. “There are clear instructions from the National Security Council to evacuate outposts, certainly those in Area B.”

According to those same officials, Netanyahu has instructed government ministers to give the IDF their full support in evacuating the isolated outposts. However, security officials said carrying out the evacuations is becoming increasingly difficult.

“We evacuate them and they come back in the morning,” one official said. “These enforcement measures are not effective as a standalone tool.”

Security officials are reportedly bracing for a difficult period ahead, with violence expected to increase while the IDF’s resources are strained by ongoing deployments on several fronts.

“We are identifying a very large increase in the number of alerts and intelligence reports, as well as in the number of attacks being thwarted,” the officials said. “Every week we foil dozens of attacks, some of which are already underway. These are crazy numbers.”

Iranian agents are believed to be behind the increase in terror-related activity, with large quantities of weapons, ammunition, narcotics and money reportedly being smuggled into the area for distribution to terrorist groups and criminal gangs throughout PA-administered cities in Judea and Samaria.

Meanwhile, the PA is preparing for possible elections in the area. According to the Shin Bet, Hamas’ political arm is projected to receive a large share of the vote if elections are held.

However, the elections may not take place due to various procedural issues. Intelligence officials have also warned that while the prospect of Hamas gaining semi-legitimate political power in PA-administered areas is alarming, other political factions competing for voters could pose an even greater threat.

The upcoming Jewish High Holidays, followed by Israeli elections and then the U.S. midterm elections, add another potentially destabilizing set of factors to an already volatile security situation.

“We are making a major effort to improve readiness for an outbreak of violence in the West Bank,” security officials said. “At least two additional battalions will be added beginning on Rosh Hashanah, and the chief of staff will allocate whatever forces are needed.”

Civilian security teams and other emergency first responders are also on high alert in Jerusalem and throughout Judea and Samaria as the High Holy Days approach.