Netanyahu Visits Samaria Seam Line, Warns Against Attacks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the seam line in Samaria on Tuesday, accompanied by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi, and IDF Central Command commander Major General Yehuda Fuchs. During the visit, he received a briefing on security preparations in the area and issued a stern warning against any attempts to attack Israel ahead of the upcoming elections.

Netanyahu declared that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are prepared for a variety of scenarios, including what he termed a "turning of the guns" against Israel. Commanders from the IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police provided an overview of their efforts to protect communities along the seam line, detailing counterterrorism operations in Palestinian villages that include the arrest of terrorists and the confiscation of weapons.

"Behind me is the former Tulkarm refugee camp," Netanyahu stated. "It was a terrorist stronghold. The IDF entered, cleared it out on our instructions, and did an excellent job, not just here."

He also addressed ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court regarding the return of residents to the area, asserting, "I heard that someone in the Supreme Court says the residents should be brought back here. These are not residents; they are terrorists."

Netanyahu emphasized that the IDF would remain the force controlling the territory, stating, "There will be no Arab army west of the Jordan River. There will be the Israel Defense Forces."

Strategic Importance of the Seam Line

Highlighting the area's strategic importance, he noted its proximity to central Israel, saying, "You have to understand, we are minutes from Netanya, minutes from the coastline. Israel's narrow waist will no longer be narrow. We are protecting the area from the Jordan River to the sea. Our country, our control."

As he concluded his remarks, Netanyahu acknowledged existing security alerts and indicated that preparations were underway for potential escalations leading up to the elections. He warned that enemies might consider testing Israel during this period, stating, "I warn them that we are prepared for every scenario, including what is known as a 'turning of the guns.'"

Filed & Cleared

The Prime Minister revealed that the IDF had presented him and the Defense Minister with a military plan for such scenarios, cautioning, "In such a case, I would not advise our enemies to test us. You will encounter a level of force here that you have never dreamed of."

Netanyahu concluded by reaffirming Israel's commitment to security in the region, mentioning ongoing operations and the establishment of communities and farms along the seam line. "We will continue to safeguard Israel's security here, along the seam line, everywhere. We are establishing communities here, more than 104, and many farms. We are safeguarding the security of the State of Israel.