West Bank on fire: IDF removes Israelis who entered the village of Tel in Samaria

The IDF today removed a group of Israelis who entered the Palestinian village of Tel near Nablus. A military official denied Palestinian reports of current Israeli presence in the village. Meanwhile, Palestinian reports claim four new outposts were established around the villages of Tel, Awarta, and Asira al-Qibliya. The military is reinforcing troops in the West Bank following three attacks in the past 24 hours, in which Binyahu Melat was murdered.

The IDF today (Saturday) removed a group of Israelis who entered the Palestinian village of Tel near Nablus. A military official denied Palestinian reports of current Israeli presence in the village, explaining that the incident occurred in the afternoon and ended immediately upon the soldiers' arrival. The reports of Israelis entering Tel come alongside Palestinian claims of four new outposts established overnight around the villages of Tel, Awarta, and Asira al-Qibliya. These steps occur as the military reinforces troops in Judea and Samaria with an additional battalion, special units, and aerial support, following a situation assessment in the Operations Division. The security establishment's deployment stems from three attacks in the past 24 hours, in which Binyahu Melat was murdered in an attack near Havat Gilad, and Itamar Cohen was seriously wounded. Security officials point to rising tensions and numerous warnings, alongside fears of copycat attacks or nationalist crimes by Israelis, against a backdrop of a series of arsons that have increased friction in the area. The military imposed a complete closure on Nablus and began extensive operations to arrest wanted individuals and confiscate weapons. In a cabinet discussion held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, response measures to the attacks were agreed upon. Decisions included demolishing the home of the terrorist who carried out the attack near Tel, revoking work permits from terror operatives, and accelerating the regulation and establishment of Israeli agricultural farms. Despite these measures, settlers in Samaria criticize the Central Command and demand increased military presence around settlements, claiming a blow to the sense of security following shooting and fireworks incidents from Palestinian Authority areas. Palestinians, for their part, operate about 70 guard committees around villages to deal with Israelis entering their territory.