A Reuters report published by Al-Monitor and reporting by Ynet separately say Benjamin Netanyahu instructed authorities to clear unauthorised settler outposts in the West Bank. Ynet says 15 to 20 of about 100 unauthorised outposts are in Areas A and B. The immediate focus appears to be Area B, and no implementation date has been announced.
Two people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the removal of settler outposts established without formal state authorisation. Citing security sources, Ynet also reported a direct prime-ministerial instruction concerning outposts in Area B. Both reports link the move to US pressure for stronger action against settler violence.[1], [2]
Ynet says there are about 100 unauthorised outposts across the West Bank, with 15 to 20 of them established in Areas A and B. Reuters cites Ynet's total and reports Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich as saying Netanyahu gave an instruction concerning sites built in Areas A and B. That total should not be read as a confirmed count of sites to be cleared in the first phase.[1], [2]
Reuters said it was not clear when the operation would begin and that neither the prime minister's office nor the military immediately responded to requests for comment. Ynet's sources say evacuees can return the next morning and that enforcement alone is ineffective. Announcing the instruction and producing a durable result on the ground are therefore separate thresholds. No completed operation has been reported.[1], [2]
