IDF Exposes Uncoordinated Hiking Phenomenon in Judea and Samaria, Warns: People Roam Area A Unnoticed
A senior officer in the Central Command revealed that dozens of hikes occur weekly in Judea and Samaria, some uncoordinated and unauthorized, with the IDF learning of them only in hindsight. He referenced the attack near the village of Tel on July 24, in which two soldiers fell, and noted that the brigade's attempt to clarify details of an uncoordinated hike met with lack of cooperation. The IDF demands a structured process with regional brigades and provides security for coordinated prayers.
A senior officer in the Central Command said today (Friday) that dozens of hikes take place weekly across Judea and Samaria, approved by the IDF, alongside which, "some are also unapproved and uncoordinated - we learn of some of them only in hindsight." This comes against the backdrop of the volatile period in Judea and Samaria, the fear of a series of attacks, and growing friction between the Palestinian and Israeli populations in the area. The officer referred to the attack that occurred on July 24 on the outskirts of the village of Tel in the Samaria Brigade, in which a battery commander in Battalion 411, Maj. Yuval Ezra, fell, and a home front defense fighter, Capt. (res.) Binyahu Melet, fell, as well as the security coordinator of the Havat Gilad settlement and other civilians being wounded by stone throwing. According to him, "according to the Operations Division, there was some familiarity that a hike was planned in the area, and I emphasize 'some,' because it doesn't go beyond that, in the late night hours." He said that "there was an attempt by the brigade to find out what it was about, which met with a lack of cooperation in obtaining the organizers' details and the hike route." The officer added that "in parallel, also that same night, another indication is received about another hike in the southern area of Itamar. This hike does receive a response after contact is made with the hike organizers on our initiative." Following the attack investigation, the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, determined that the hike was not coordinated or approved with the IDF. The officer emphasized the heavy security the IDF provides for coordinated prayers at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, Solomon's Pools, and other sensitive points. He described the sequence of events: the hike left in the morning around 5:30 from the settlement of Bracha, passed through Area C, entered B and A, and moved to Area B, with "a very long string of dozens of hikers." Until 7:27 the hike proceeded without unusual incidents, then an indication was received from a spotter from the direction of Yitzhar, and a company and a platoon were dispatched from the Rock outpost. Following the attack, the IDF opened a series of arrests and transferred dozens of suspects to Shin Bet investigation.