The Palestinian Authority is unable to rein in terror in areas under its control, forcing Israel to intensify its own actions in Judea and Samaria, said IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi on Monday.
Speaking at a General Staff learning conference dealing with a military exercise held in May, Kochavi noted that the Israel Defense Forces had launched “Operation Breakwater” in March due to a “sharp increase” in the number of terrorist attacks in the Judea and Samaria region. As part of this operation, some 1,500 wanted individuals have been apprehended so far, and hundreds of attacks prevented, he said.
“Part of the increase in attacks is due to the inability of Palestinian security forces to properly govern in certain areas of the Judea and Samaria region. As a result these areas become fertile ground for the growth of terrorism,” he continued.
The 1993-1994 Oslo Accords divided the disputed territories into three administrative categories, areas A, B and C. The Palestinian Authority has full security control in Area A, in which the city of Jenin is located, and partial security control in Area B. In the weeks preceding the launch of “Operation Breakwater,” 19 people were murdered in terrorist attacks, 11 of which were carried out by Palestinians from the Jenin area, according to the IDF.
“As always, even when facing this increase, our test remains the same—to defend the security of Israeli civilians, and our mission is to prevent terrorist activity—we will reach every city, neighborhood, alley, house and basement,” said Kochavi.
“Our activity will continue and we are ready to increase it if need be.”
