IDF prioritizes missions due to Qusra riots: arrests of Palestinian terror suspects postponed

ynet reveals that the IDF is postponing arrests of Palestinian terror suspects due to mission prioritization, amid riots in the village of Qusra. Defense Minister Katz ordered transferring enforcement powers over Israeli citizens to the police, and Chief of Staff Zamir said 'you can't chase after a handful.' Experts warn of another step toward annexation.

Amid riots in the Palestinian village of Qusra, south of Nablus, the IDF has been forced to prioritize missions and postpone arrests of Palestinian terror suspects, as revealed by ynet. The reason: diversion of forces to other tasks, including dealing with clashes between Jews and Palestinians. The military emphasizes that this is not a cancellation of arrests but merely prioritization, and that if there is information about a planned attack, the suspect will be arrested immediately. Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday a directive to transfer enforcement powers over Israeli citizens in Judea and Samaria to the police, claiming that the IDF's role is to fight Palestinian terrorism. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said in the cabinet that 'IDF soldiers cannot chase after a handful that gives the settlement a bad name.' Military law experts argue that the move promotes annexation, and that the police lack sufficient manpower. A senior official in the Shai district said the move is intended to divert criticism from the IDF to the police.