IDF confirms soldiers numbered Palestinian suspects in West Bank op., says 'lessons were drawn'

The IDF confirmed that soldiers wrote numbers on Palestinian suspects' bodies during a Monday operation in Kabatiya near Jenin, stating that security forces marked suspects being interrogated and that lessons were drawn. The military also reported detaining two terrorists and raiding over 100 houses. Separately, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a plan to transfer West Bank civilian enforcement from the IDF to police, a move praised by Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The IDF confirmed that soldiers wrote numbers on the bodies of Palestinian suspects during a Monday operation in the West Bank village of Kabatiya near Jenin. Army Radio reported the incident on Tuesday morning. In response, the IDF stated that security forces marked suspects who were being interrogated as part of the operation, and that commanders explained the seriousness of the act to the soldiers, adding that lessons were drawn from the matter. On Monday, the IDF announced it had detained two terrorists and raided more than 100 houses in the Kabatiya area. The two suspects are accused of planning and promoting terrorist plots against Israeli citizens and the IDF. The article also notes the IDF has faced heavy scrutiny over its actions in the Palestinian village of Kusra near Nablus. Separately, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the military will present a plan within two weeks to transfer West Bank civilian enforcement from the IDF to the police, a move initially announced on Friday. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir hailed the decision as a significant step toward Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank, and said he had requested the transfer of all responsibility, including the Border Police's Judea and Samaria Division, in accordance with the coalition agreement.