‘Full-Scale War’: Israel Threatens Palestinian Authority In West Bank, Warns Against Oct 7-Style Attack

Last Updated:September 07, 2026, 4:43 PM IST

Katz said the military campaign would target the “senior leadership and mechanisms” of the Palestinian Authority, which is based in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Israeli army soldiers check the documents of a Palestinian man during an Israeli military operation at the Askar camp for Palestinian refugees, east of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on September 4, 2026. (IMAGE: AFP)

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened the Palestinian Authority with “full-scale war” if it prepared to attack Israeli forces or Jewish settlements in a manner similar to the assault launched by Hamas from Gaza on October 7, 2023.

“If… the Palestinian Authority’s security mechanisms and related bodies initiate, or we know with certainty that they are about to initiate, a terror attack in the style of October 7 against IDF forces and Jewish settlements — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to prepare for the opening of a full-scale war,” Katz said in a statement from his office, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.

Katz said the military campaign would target the “senior leadership and mechanisms” of the Palestinian Authority, which is based in the West Bank city of Ramallah, as well as “all terror infrastructure” in the territory.

He said the operation would include “targeted killings of senior figures” and the “evacuation of residents from the cities and villages from which terror activity is carried out”, followed by a permanent Israeli military presence in those areas.

The remarks from Defence Minister Israel Katz came after a stabbing attack in the northern occupied West Bank, with the Israeli military saying it had shot and killed the Palestinian assailant.

Violence has surged in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, after Hamas’s October 2023 attack sparked the war in Gaza. Recent months have seen soaring attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, often with little or no legal consequence.

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What specific threat did Israel’s Defence Minister issue to the Palestinian Authority regarding West Bank attacks?

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened the Palestinian Authority with “full-scale war” if it initiated a terror attack similar to the October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas against IDF forces and Jewish settlements in the West Bank. He stated that such an operation would target the PA’s senior leadership and terror infrastructure, including targeted killings and evacuation of residents from areas of terror activity, followed by a permanent Israeli military presence.

What events led to Israel’s warning to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank?

The warning from Defence Minister Israel Katz followed a stabbing attack in the northern occupied West Bank, where the Israeli military reported shooting and killing the Palestinian assailant. Violence in the West Bank has surged since Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which sparked the war in Gaza.

What actions did Israel’s Prime Minister vow after a deadly clash in the West Bank?

After a deadly clash in the occupied West Bank that left one Israeli and four Palestinians dead, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to act “with full force.” Israel announced a sweeping crackdown, including expanded military operations, additional checkpoints, and plans to establish new settlements in the occupied territory.

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Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has …Read More

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