Premature announcement? Katz's statement not coordinated with IDF and Ben Gvir

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the transfer of enforcement powers from the IDF to the Israel Police in the West Bank, but the IDF claims the directive was not coordinated with them. The army raised the request in recent weeks due to friction with hilltop youth. Katz did not coordinate the move with Minister Ben Gvir. Israel Gantz welcomed it and called for canceling the Oslo Accords.

Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that he instructed to transfer enforcement powers from the IDF to the Israel Police in Judea and Samaria. However, the IDF claims the directive was not coordinated with them, even though the army raised the request in recent weeks due to numerous friction incidents with hilltop youth, especially in the village of Kussra. The move aims to ease the burden on soldiers and free them for security missions, while bringing the Border Police to handle violence incidents. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories was tasked with preparing the 'handover of the stick', and the findings will be presented to the Chief of Staff next week. Katz did not coordinate the step with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, raising questions about cooperation. Israel Gantz, head of the Binyamin Council, welcomed the decision and called for completing the move, canceling the Oslo Accords, and applying full Israeli sovereignty. The article emphasizes that as long as there is no annexation, the IDF is the sovereign in the territory, and the police can assist but not replace it.