IDF returns to northern Samaria as settlement boundaries expand

“When we bring settlement and the military back here with full force, that is how terror is suppressed and security is restored.”

By World Israel News Staff

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday welcomed what he described as a major step toward strengthening Israel’s presence and security in Judea and Samaria, as military and government officials advanced parallel legal and security measures across the region.

The developments followed the signing of eight new orders by Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, head of Israel’s Central Command, formally defining or expanding municipal jurisdictions for eight Jewish communities.

The initiative, promoted by the Settlement Administration and the Civil Administration, is intended to close long-standing planning gaps while establishing permanent boundaries aimed at preventing future territorial contiguity that could enable a Palestinian state.

The orders cover six newer communities across five regional councils, along with expanded jurisdiction in the Binyamin Regional Council.

In northern Samaria, jurisdiction for Homesh was formally reestablished nearly 20 years after it was dismantled during the 2005 disengagement. Jurisdiction was also defined for Mount Ebal.

Additional communities include Yonadav in the southern Hebron Hills, Gvaot in Gush Etzion, Kedem Arava in the Megillot region, and Yitav West in the Jordan Valley.

Within Binyamin, Bnei Adam received final regulatory recognition, while Ofra saw a significant expansion of its boundaries.

Smotrich said the move advances what he called de facto sovereignty and pointed to Homesh as a symbol of Jewish resilience and national spirit. The legal step enables authorities to advance zoning plans, issue building permits, and develop infrastructure immediately and lawfully.

Alongside the jurisdictional orders, officials announced a parallel security move in northern Samaria.

The Menashe Brigade, removed from the area during the 2005 disengagement, is set to return, alongside the construction of a new company-level military base in the evacuated community of Sa-Nur.

During a site visit on Monday, Smotrich highlighted the link between settlement and security.

“We budgeted the return of the brigade headquarters here, along with two battalion headquarters, with an allocation of 800 million shekels over the next three years,” he said, adding that the new base would enable families to return to the area.

“When the IDF left this area, it became the terror capital of Judea and Samaria,” Smotrich said. “When we bring settlement and the military back here with full force, that is how terror is suppressed and security is restored to the State of Israel.”

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan echoed the assessment, saying, “Most of the terror attacks came from here because there was no army presence.” He added that restoring settlement and military bases would strengthen security nationwide and reduce the burden on the IDF.