Kats: IDF to Submit West Bank Law Enforcement Transfer Plan to Israeli Police Within Two Weeks

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the Israel Defense Forces will submit, within two weeks, a formal plan to transfer law enforcement authorities in the West Bank to the Israeli police. He added that he had coordinated with the IDF’s Central Command chief to accelerate the process of organizing settlement outposts in the territory.

Background of the directive

Katz confirmed on Friday that he had instructed the IDF to transfer law enforcement responsibilities in civil matters within West Bank settlements to the Israeli police.

Hamas response

The Islamic Resistance Movement—Hamas—described Katz’s decision to shift executive authorities related to settlers in the occupied West Bank from the military to the Israeli police as a dangerous step toward de facto annexation. Hamas asserted the move aims to entrench control over occupied Palestinian territory by imposing occupation laws there, constituting a flagrant violation of international law, which criminalizes settlement activity.