Loss of Control: IDF Admits It Avoided Evacuating Illegal Outposts

The IDF admits it avoided evacuating illegal outposts in Judea and Samaria amid a sharp rise in nationalist crime. In the first half of 2026, 660 nationalist crime incidents were recorded, a 63% increase compared to the second half of 2025. Additionally, there were 45 deliberate attacks against security forces, and 140 Palestinians were injured and 6 killed. The IDF warns of the operational burden and tries to reduce friction on the ground.

The IDF admits that in recent days it avoided evacuating illegal outposts in Judea and Samaria, against the backdrop of a sharp rise in nationalist crime. In the first half of 2026, 660 nationalist crime incidents were recorded, an increase of 63% compared to the second half of 2025 and 50% compared to the first half of that year. Additionally, there were 45 deliberate attacks against security forces, a 50% increase compared to the second half of 2025. As a result of the crime incidents, 140 Palestinians were injured and six were killed, an increase of over 70% in the number of casualties compared to the second half of 2025. The IDF says that nationalist crime and the handling of outposts require diverting large resources that were supposed to be invested in the fight against Palestinian terrorism and in operations in Gaza and Lebanon. As part of the move, a closed military zone order was imposed on a certain village, and entry will be allowed only to residents. The order did not specify the reason, but the IDF clarified that the step was intended to prevent friction and thwart the possibility of attacks by Jewish right-wing activists.