Katz unveils plan for ‘all-out war’ in West Bank if PA-linked October 7-style attack emerges
Defense minister says potential campaign would target Palestinian Authority officials and security forces, evacuate communities and establish lasting IDF control over cleared areas
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that the military had been instructed to prepare for an “all-out war” in the West Bank if Israel determines that Palestinian Authority security forces or affiliated groups are launching, or preparing to launch, an attack similar to October 7.
Under the plan outlined by Katz, Israel would wage a broad campaign against senior PA officials, its security apparatuses and what he described as terrorist infrastructure throughout the territory.
The operation could include targeted killings, the evacuation of residents from cities and villages used to launch attacks, the destruction of militant infrastructure and a continued Israeli military presence in cleared areas, Katz said.
He compared the potential strategy with Israel’s establishment of security zones in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as previous IDF operations in the Jenin refugee camp and northern West Bank.
“We will not allow a return to the reality of an intifada lasting for years, as was the case in the past,” Katz said, adding that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the IDF to prepare for such a scenario.
Katz presented the plan as a contingency measure rather than an operation that had already been authorized. He said it would be activated if Israel witnessed a major deterioration in the security situation and obtained firm intelligence that PA forces or associated groups were preparing a large-scale assault.
The defense minister made the announcement following a stabbing attack near Nablus in the northern West Bank. He wished the wounded Israeli civilian a speedy recovery and initially said the IDF would pursue the assailant.
The military later said troops located the suspect near his vehicle in the Idhna area and shot him dead after he allegedly attempted to stab soldiers.
Katz said Israel’s current West Bank policy rests on three priorities: combating Palestinian terrorism, expanding Jewish settlements and maintaining security stability.
He claimed terrorism in the territory was at its lowest level in decades and said Israel would take all necessary measures to prevent another escalation.
“We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7,” Katz said. “We will ensure the security of Israeli residents and communities everywhere.”