IDF Central Command chief said to warn ministers that West Bank policy stretching forces thin

IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth warned ministers during a security cabinet meeting last night that government policy in the West Bank is placing a growing strain on the IDF’s already stretched manpower, Channel 12 reports.

According to the report, Bluth told ministers that over the past year, they approved the establishment of numerous settlements in the Jordan Valley and across the West Bank — developments that require increased security coverage.

“This is your policy,” Bluth reportedly said, “but it requires security and a full protection package, because the reality on the ground has completely changed — and that requires manpower.”

Ministers were also shown footage of settler violence incidents during the meeting, according to Channel 12.

Bluth’s remarks echo an earlier Channel 13 report in which IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was said to warn ministers at the same meeting that the military is at risk of “collapsing in on itself” under mounting operational demands and a growing manpower shortage.