Telangana Chief Minister offers silk robes to Goddess Mahankali on Bonalu; leaders pray for good rains

Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed on Monday that IDF Central Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth had not been dismissed and was continuing to serve effectively, following a previous statement where he had denied advocating for Bluth's removal. The concern arose from Bluth's recent policies, which critics alleged were contradictory and contributed to an increase in Arab terrorism.

Katz held a meeting at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv with local authority leaders from the West Bank, including chairmen, council heads, and mayors, to discuss strategies for combating Palestinian terrorism and enhancing the West Bank communities.

During the meeting, the West Bank authorities expressed their profound gratitude for Katz's security policies, specifically highlighting what they termed a "settlement revolution" in the region. Under his leadership, the defense minister, in collaboration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had recognized 104 new communities and 160 agricultural farms in the West Bank, alongside the return of IDF forces to the northern part of the contested area.

The West Bank leaders commended Katz for rescinding administrative detention orders against settlers, which they credited for an 80% reduction in terrorist incidents.

Katz and the West Bank leaders stressed the significance of the West Bank communities as critical assets for Israel and emphasized the ongoing commitment to the fight against Palestinian terrorism in their joint statement.