At IDF Central Command, Gallant says Israel committed to dismantling West Bank terror groups

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated Israel’s commitment to dismantling Palestinian terror groups operating in the West Bank during a situational assessment with incoming IDF Central Command head Brig. Gen. Avi Bluth.

During the meeting, Gallant received an overview of the military’s counterterror operations in the West Bank over the last few months, his office says in a statement.

“The Central Command’s sector is one where terrorism is simmering, partly as a result of the intentions of Iran, Hezbollah and other factors that strive to undermine the situation here,” Gallant said at the end of the meeting.

“Yesterday [when the IAF struck the port of Hodeida] we operated 2,000 kilometers from the State of Israel, and now we are in the heart of the State of Israel — here too we will know how to act,” he said, elaborating on steps being taken to fight terror in the West Bank. “I instructed the Central Command, the IDF and the chief of staff to ensure that all the actions of terror battalions inside refugee camps are thwarted, and we are crushing these battalions — in Jenin, Tulkarem, Tubas and elsewhere.

“We will act accordingly, we will not allow a situation where the citizens of Israel are at risk as a result of actions by terrorists directed by Iran,” Gallant added.