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Avi Bluth

Left to right: Defense Minister Israel Katz, July 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, February 20, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90); IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, July 12, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Katz denies dismissing Bluth: A 'complete lie'
Katz tries to walk back on-air removal of top general, as opposition, allies call to oust Katz
By Emanuel Fabian, Jeremy Sharon, Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
Lawmakers, former generals, settlement leaders decry defense minister's live TV replacement of Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth; IDF said freezing senior appointments until elections
Minister of Defence Israel Katz announces that he's replacing the IDF's top West Bank general, on Channel 14, August 2, 2026. (Screenshot)
August 3, 2026, 5:17 am
Katz announces he’s replacing top West Bank general; IDF says he’ll stay in his role
Open dispute erupts between army and defense minister, who says on live TV that Maj. Gen. Bluth acted against his policy on violent settler, and declares he has ‘absolute control over what is necessary’ in the IDF
By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
Palestinians carry the bodies of people killed in an Israeli military strike on a residential building on the back of a vehicle as they attend their funeral at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, July 15, 2026. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)
July 16, 2026, 9:41 pm
Strikes said to kill 5 in Gaza as top officer says IDF has taken over 60% of Strip
Army says it targeted Hamas commander who invaded Israel on Oct. 7, as Central Command chief confirms apparent violation of truce stipulation that Israel only hold onto 53% of territory
By Agencies and Emanuel Fabian
Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth speaks during a handover ceremony for the commander of the 99th Division, near Netiv Haasara on the Gaza border, July 15, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)
July 16, 2026, 8:51 pm
IDF’s West Bank chief claims illegal settler farming outposts ‘greatly strengthen security’
Avi Bluth tells residents of wildcat communes — which critics say have become ground zero for violent extremists and a tool for dispossession of Palestinian lands — that he loves them
By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
IDF soldiers stand behind a masked settler swinging a slingshot while hurling stones at Palestinians who had gathered for the annual olive harvest season, during an attack by Israeli settlers on the West Bank village of Beita, south of Nablus, on October 10, 2025. (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP)
June 26, 2026, 11:12 am
As settlers rampage, IDF soldiers accused of aiding violence, theft against Palestinians
Israeli activists describe a pattern of troops standing by or actively taking part as settlers from illegal outposts assault, harass and loot from Palestinians in the West Bank
By Jeremy Sharon
Khaled Shamlawi near uprooted olive trees in the West Bank village of Haris, on May 13, 2026. (Nurit Yohanan/Times of Israel)
May 24, 2026, 9:04 am
Citing security, IDF appears to sharply accelerate uprooting of West Bank olive trees
Palestinians and activists say the military is razing trees on private land at an unprecedented pace, questioning whether claims they provide cover for attacks justify the widespread campaign
By Nurit Yohanan
IDF soldiers stand behind a masked settler swinging a slingshot while hurling stones at Palestinians who had gathered for the annual olive harvest season, during an attack by Israeli settlers on the West Bank village of Beita, south of Nablus, on October 10, 2025. (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP)
May 5, 2026, 6:30 am
Top IDF officer admits unequal enforcement against Israeli, Palestinian stone-throwers
Central Command chief says using live fire on settlers would have ‘severe sociological consequences’; IDF revokes a permit for Palestinian villagers to plow their land after settler disruption
By Stav Levaton, Nurit Yohanan and ToI Staff
IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth watches as Palestinians pass through the Qalandia checkpoint on their way to attend Ramadan prayers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, February 20, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
May 1, 2026, 2:20 am
Top general in West Bank warns ‘Jewish terrorism’ could spark Palestinian uprising — report
Central Command chief Avi Bluth reportedly cautions that Palestinians ‘won’t remain indifferent forever’ to settler violence, which he laments is ‘causing unfathomable damage to Israel’
By Stav Levaton and ToI Staff
Screen captures from a video of Iyad Arar, 60, collapsing during an alleged confrontation with extremist settlers in the central West Bank, March 19, 2026. (X. Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
March 19, 2026, 9:09 pm
Palestinian dies of heart attack during clash with settlers, as West Bank attacks persist
60-year-old guard dies at recreational park amid confrontation; two cars burned near Hebron, villagers attacked near Nablus
By Nurit Yohanan and ToI Staff
Israeli security forces clash with settlers during the evacuation of the illegal outpost of Tzur Misgavi, in the Gush Etzion area of the West Bank, November 17, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
February 17, 2026, 5:40 pm
10 settler rabbis warn against ‘violence of any sort,’ amid attacks on Palestinians
Leaders from settlements in northern West Bank praise new outposts, but say misguided youth and bad actors are harming reputation of all settlers, endangering project at large
By Emanuel Fabian, Charlie Summers and ToI Staff
Israeli settlers attack journalists during the olive-picking season in the village of Beita, south of Nablus in the West Bank, November 8, 2025. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
January 19, 2026, 6:00 pm
IDF: Settler violence rose by 27% in 2025, severe attacks spiked by over 50%
Military officials say they feel a sense of failure for not managing to curb attacks by some 300 Jewish extremists against West Bank Palestinians
By Emanuel Fabian
From left to right: Central Command head Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai during a visit to the West Bank, December 31, 2025. (Shlomi Amsalem/Defense Ministry)
December 31, 2025, 8:57 pm
Katz urges IDF to ready for potential ‘Oct.7-style’ mass attack on West Bank settlements
Defense minister calls to reestablish northern West Bank military bases evacuated as part of US-backed deal, as top commander in territory tells army to prepare for ‘surprise war’
By Stav Levaton
Palestinians inspect a mosque in Deir Istiya after it was set on fire by Israeli settlers, according to local residents. Graffiti left by settlers reads "We will take revenge again" and "We are not afraid of Avi Bluth," a reference to the IDF Central Command chief, November 13, 2025. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
November 13, 2025, 4:44 pm
Settlers torch West Bank mosque, scrawl hateful messages after IDF leaders’ reproach
Deir Istiya village targeted amid rising settler violence that has displaced thousands; graffiti threatens revenge after rare condemnation from military generals
By AP and ToI Staff
A Palestinian man uses a cellphone to record a burning truck after an alleged settler attack in the village of Beit Lid, east of Tulkarm in the West Bank on November 11, 2025. (JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP)
November 13, 2025, 3:18 am
Rubio says ‘there’s some concern’ West Bank violence could undermine Gaza ceasefire
US secretary of state hails Herzog and IDF for condemning latest spate of settler violence, in rare comments from an American official on unchecked attacks against Palestinians
By Jacob Magid and Charlie Summers
Palestinians and journalists survey damage in an industrial zone following an attack by Israeli settlers the previous day in the West Bank village of Beit Lid, near Tulkarm, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
November 12, 2025, 7:26 pm
Army chief vows to crack down on settler attacks, even as suspects freed after mass riot
Only one suspect from West Bank attacks remains in custody; military officials criticize police for lack of enforcement; Zamir says rise in settler violence crosses ‘a red line’
By Emanuel Fabian, Nurit Yohanan and ToI Staff
Israeli security forces guard as Jews tour in the West Bank city of Hebron, September 20, 2025. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)
September 22, 2025, 12:51 pm
IDF bolsters fronts as commander warns of West Bank escalation over holiday
Allenby Crossing with Jordan reopens to car traffic after last week’s deadly attack by driver of aid truck bound for Gaza
By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff
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