The encounter today (Wednesday), in which Major Bar Falah was killed, places Israel at a crossroads of decisions. On the agenda: the continuation of the activity in its existing form, or the hardening of the policy, including the possibility of more extensive military operations and civilian measures that will make it harder on the Palestinian population.
The encounter itself raises several questions at the tactical level, which will surely be clarified in the operational investigation.
The observations did identify the terrorists, but they did not identify that they were armed, and therefore it was possible for them to surprise and injure the Nahal officer. This may indicate a need to refine or target certain measures or procedures, but those who expect 100% advance intelligence in every incident are likely to be deceived
Major Bar Falah, photo: IDF spokesman
Skilled forces that have been operating for a long time in the sector are expected to solve such incidents even when they happen unexpectedly.
Sometimes this involves a bloody price, as happened yesterday.
Despite this, the force came to its senses, attacked and killed the terrorists, as expected (led by the brigade commander, Col. Eric Moyal). With all the difficulty and pain, this is part of the operational risk involved in the fight against terrorism. Whoever deduces from this the need to kill every suspect even in the absence of information Criminalizing or easing the instructions to open fire, will soon lead to the unnecessary killing of innocents. The fact that the IDF avoids this distinguishes it from the terrorist organizations.
This incident shows two deep and disturbing problems.
The first, which has been prominent for more than six months, is the growing motivation of young people, especially in northern Samaria, to carry out terrorist attacks.
This is evident in the growing opposition to the IDF's arrest operations in the Jenin and Nablus area (and in some cases in other sectors as well) and the increase in the number of attacks, attempted attacks and foiled attacks.
Incitement in networks
The reasons for this are varied: from a steep decline in the operational efficiency and motivation of the Palestinian security mechanisms to operate in northern Samaria, which leads to a decline in governance in the region, through intense activity on social networks - mainly on Tiktok - which motivates many young Palestinians to take to the streets, to the fact that the current generation is not "burnt" in the memories of Operation Wall Magen, for the tanks and soldiers that roamed the streets of the Palestinian cities and the deterrence achieved through them.
The growing motivation of young people to carry out terrorist attacks, illustration, photo: Dodi Vaaknin
The second problem, which is no less disturbing, is the increase in the involvement of members of the Palestinian security apparatus in attacks (and sometimes their relatives).
One of the terrorists yesterday was the foiling Palestinian intelligence officer - the partner of the Shin Bet in the West Bank. It is impossible to conclude that all the operatives of the mechanisms are potential terrorists, but it is necessary to conclude that there is a problem, which is first of all a Palestinian problem, and then an Israeli problem.
The Palestinian partner
The Palestinian security mechanisms are Israel's main partner in the Palestinian Authority, in the absence of political dialogue between the parties. Since the second intifada, they have operated in the West Bank to thwart thousands of terrorist attacks and arrest wanted persons. They did not do this for Israel, but to reduce the threat of terrorism - mainly from Hamas and Jihad The Islamists - who threaten first and foremost the PA itself. Their weakening now creates a vacuum that may draw in the terrorist organizations, the refugees of the mechanisms who will look for a new source of inspiration, and also just bored young people.
This will oblige Israel to increase operational activity and consider taking additional steps.
There are already those in the security establishment who are talking about deeper and longer operations in northern Samaria, and also about measures that will limit the population - from local closures to movement restrictions - in the hope that the citizens will put pressure on the Palestinian Authority and its security mechanisms to curb the violence.
It is hoped that the citizens will put pressure on the Palestinian Authority to curb the violence. Photo: Reuters
This challenge will increase in the coming weeks also against the background of the Tishrei holidays.
The pilgrimages to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount will surely be used by a host of factors to claim once again that Al-Aqsa is in danger, in an attempt to incite popular violence.
The IDF, the Shin Bet and the police must prepare for this in advance, mainly by reinforcing forces and intelligence means, in order to pass the coming month in peace and without an escalation that could affect the entire Yosh as well as other sectors.
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