Israel readies for assault against Palestinian Authority in West Bank — paper

TASS

TEL AVIV, October 6. /TASS/. The Israeli army has been ordered to prepare for full-scale military operations against the Palestinian National Authority (PA) on the West Bank of the Jordan River, Defense Minister Israel Katz said, according to The Times of Israel.

It said that at a government meeting, Katz outlined to other ministers a "basic scenario" developed for the army, which "provides for preparations for possible jihadist attacks on the settlers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces."

The minister pointed out that the army has been ordered to "prepare for a scenario, in which the PNA security forces and the associated Tanzim organization will send weapons against settlers and troops of the Israel Defense Forces."

"In this case, war will be declared on the Palestinian National Authority, and the Israel Defense Forces will launch a full-scale offensive in accordance with a detailed plan developed and approved by Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu and myself based on the principles outlined for the Israel Defense Forces."

According to the minister's forecast, such a military campaign "will be short and powerful." It will involve ground units, air forces and special means. The campaign will include "the removal and expulsion of high-ranking officials, the destruction of weapons, as well as the large-scale evacuation of residents and the destruction of terrorist infrastructure inside cities and all refugee camps," Katz listed.

The defense minister added that Israel plans to rely on the latest experience of fighting in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon. Katz had previously explained that the army had been instructed to operate in southern Lebanon in the same way as in Gaza, with the aim of "destroying terrorist infrastructure" in the border areas.

Fonte: TASS