FM Katz calls for ‘temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents’ in West Bank in fight against ‘Iranian terror front’

PA President Abbas cut short visit to Saudi Arabia over IDF counter-terror operation

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Responding to the IDF's launch of large-scale counter-terror operations in Judea and Samaria on Wednesday morning, Foreign Minister Israel Katz called the conflict “a war in every way.”

“We must deal with the threat just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and whatever steps are required,” Katz wrote on 𝕏 shortly after the operation was announced.

He blamed the Iranian regime for the rise in terrorism in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), saying the Islamic Republic wants to open a new “terror front against Israel.”

“The IDF is working intensively from tonight in the Jenin and Tulkarm refugee camps to thwart Islamic-Iranian terrorist infrastructures that have been established there. Iran is working to establish an eastern terror front against Israel in the West Bank, according to the Gaza and Lebanon model, by financing and arming terrorists and smuggling advanced weapons from Jordan,” Katz stated.

This was not the first time the foreign minister made such remarks. About three weeks ago, Hebrew news site Israel Hayom reported that Katz had made identical comments in a closed meeting with leaders from Judea and Samaria.

The leaked notes of his comments caused a storm in the Arab world, with some accusing him of pushing for population transfer or genocide.

According to Israel Hayom, in that meeting, Katz told the heads of the local authorities, "The refugee camps are the epicenter of evil, they are not under the control of the PA but of Iran, the Jenin refugee camp must be evacuated of its citizens and must be treated like the Gaza Strip."

Katz also highlighted the porous border with Jordan, which contributes to the ongoing problem of weapons smuggling into Judea and Samaria.

Katz’s comments in that meeting were quoted by several Arab news sites, including Asharq Al-Awsat, one of the most popular media outlets in the Arab world.

Palestinian site Quds News stated: "Katz's remarks are the result of the inaction of the Arab countries and the continuation of the normalization process with Israel," and called on “all residents of Judea and Samaria to escalate the struggle.”

The United Nations claimed that approximately 88.5% of the Gaza Strip “has been placed under evacuation orders” at some point during the current war.

Over one million Palestinians have evacuated their homes in Gaza since the start of the war, and many have expressed concern that Israel plans to remove them permanently from the Strip.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and returned to Ramallah following the launch of the large-scale IDF operation.

Abbas landed in Saudi Arabia on Monday for meetings with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and was scheduled to visit several other Gulf states before flying to Egypt.

Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Abbas cut his visit short "due to Israel’s escalating aggression in the northern West Bank.”

Abbas’ spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, said the IDF operation could have “dangerous consequences,” and said the operation is “the continuation of an all-out war on our people, our land and our holy sites.”