IDF forces, the Civil Administration’s inspection unit, and the Settlement Division carried out a focused enforcement operation in the Judean Desert yesterday. During the operation, several illegal ‘Palestinian’ buildings erected within the boundaries of the agreed-upon reserve were demolished.
The joint activity by security and enforcement forces comes as part of an effort to implement the law on the ground, crack down on illegal construction, and protect public lands and open spaces in Judea and Samaria.
Demolitions removing illegally built ‘Palestinian’ structures in Judea has become even more important following the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Samaria. Enforcing building laws and maintaining security control over strategically sensitive areas are essential to preventing future attacks, protecting nearby Israeli communities, and reinforcing Israel’s ability to respond to ongoing security threats.
Gush Etzion Regional Council head Yaron Rosenthal praised the operation and thanked those involved: “I commend the IDF forces, the Civil Administration’s inspection unit, the Settlement Division headed by Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and the council’s land department for their determined activity and enforcement of the law.”
Rosenthal made clear this is the first step in a broader campaign and stressed the need for continued enforcement: “This is an important step, but it’s just the beginning. We must continue with consistent enforcement against all illegal construction in the agreed-upon reserve. We will keep working to ensure residents of eastern Gush Etzion and hikers in the Judean Desert have a safe, open, and protected space.”