IDF increases West Bank deployment to 26 battalions amid sharp rise in violence

BySARAH BEN-NUNJULY 27, 2026 18:41The IDF has increased its deployment across the West Bank to 26 battalions, adding two battalions amid a sharp escalation marked by Palestinian terrorist attacks and a series of violent attacks by extremist settlers, The Jerusalem Post learned Monday.The figure represents the number of battalions operating across the West Bank rather than a disclosed total number of soldiers. The deployment is not static, with forces routinely moved between areas according to operational assessments and changing security needs.It is not yet clear whether the additional deployment will remain in place throughout the summer, as the military continues to reassess a rapidly shifting situation.The Post was not provided with a separate breakdown of how many forces are specifically assigned to prevent attacks by extremist Israelis against Palestinians. Forces are expected to respond when they encounter violations of the law, but their distribution is determined by broader situational assessments.The reinforcement comes after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered increased troop deployments, additional checkpoints and expanded counterterrorism operations following Friday’s deadly shooting near Gilad Farm. Security forces arrested more than 70 terror suspects in operations across the West Bank the following day.IDF soldiers operate in the village of Tell, near the West Bank city of Nablus, July 25, 2026. (credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)Confrontations, shootings, Israelis and Palestinians deadFriday’s incident began when a group of Israeli civilians entered Palestinian Authority-controlled territory near the village of Tal without coordinating with the military, according to the IDF.A confrontation developed with local Palestinians, during which a Palestinian seized a weapon and opened fire. Master-Sgt. (res.) Benayahu Melet, 32, a member of Gilad Farm’s local emergency response squad, and Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27, an Artillery Corps battery commander, were killed.The Palestinian shooter was also killed. Palestinian officials said four Palestinians were killed during the broader confrontation, but the precise sequence of events, including the circumstances in which the other Palestinians died, remains unclear and is under investigation.The shooting followed a stabbing attack near Elon Moreh on Thursday, in which 51-year-old Itamar Cohen was seriously wounded after attempting to extinguish a fire allegedly set by residents of the nearby Palestinian village of Beit Furik. The two Palestinian attackers were killed at the scene.Continuing incidents, fire set to mosqueOn Saturday, an off-duty soldier and another Israeli were injured in a separate confrontation near the Sussiya Junction in the southern West Bank. The IDF said a Palestinian threw stones at the two men and took a weapon from one of them. The weapon was later recovered.In the early hours of Sunday, Israelis set fire to a mosque in the village of Kusra and sprayed “Revenge for Benayahu” and a Star of David on its entrance.The weekend attacks followed earlier incidents in Jalud and Turmus Aiya, where the IDF confirmed that Israeli civilians attempted to set fire to Palestinian property and became involved in violent confrontations. In both cases, suspects fled before security forces arrived and no arrests were immediately reported.IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir has instructed commanders to prevent further friction between Israelis and Palestinians, while senior Central Command officials have warned that both terrorism and violence originating from unauthorized outposts are making it increasingly difficult to maintain security and public order.Follow us on Google