Israeli Defense Minister reports 80% drop in Judea and Samaria terror, thanks to IDF operations

The IDF strategy included evacuating residents, eliminating terrorists, dismantling infrastructure, and maintaining a military presence.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Sunday that terror threats in Judea and Samaria have fallen by 80% since the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) adopted a more aggressive counterterrorism strategy earlier this year.

Posting on X, Katz identified the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams as “hotbeds of terrorism” built with Iranian funding, weapons, and training, forming part of the “Axis of Resistance” against Israel.

These areas, he said, served as launch sites for attacks throughout Judea and Samaria.

In response, Katz directed the IDF to launch a sustained “powerful offensive” in these zones—evacuating residents, eliminating terrorists, dismantling infrastructure, and maintaining a military presence through at least the end of 2025.

“This is the correct model for fighting terrorism: strike it decisively and pursue it relentlessly in Judea and Samaria, in Gaza, and everywhere,” he said.

The shift in policy has been most visible in Operation Iron Wall, a sweeping campaign that began in January targeting armed cells in Jenin, many linked to Iranian backing.

Conducted with the Shin Bet, the operation has resulted in multiple terrorist casualties and the systematic dismantling of terror networks.

As part of broader security measures, the IDF introduced a new regulation in July banning the wearing of face masks outdoors in Judea and Samaria.

Offenders face up to six months in prison, while those committing crimes while masked could receive a minimum two-year sentence.

The rule is intended to make it harder for Palestinian terrorists to evade identification during attacks.

Katz’s remarks emphasize Israel’s intensified security posture in Judea and Samaria.

The coming months will test whether this approach can sustain the reported drop in threats and further stabilize the region.