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IDF postpones evacuation of Tzur Harel outpost after operation plans leaked

IDF postpones evacuation of Tzur Harel outpost after operation plans leaked

Yahoo13 hours ago
Dozens of Palestinian vehicles were set on fire in the village of Burqa, near the Tzur Harel outpost, on Monday night.
Hilltop youth reportedly prevented security forces from carrying out operational activities on Monday night, including blocking the evacuation of an illegal outpost in the Binyamin area of the West Bank, Army Radio said on Tuesday.
According to reports, IDF and Border Police soldiers prepared to evacuate the Tzur Harel outpost, located near the Givat Assaf junction.
Security sources told Army Radio that this outpost has been a source of clashes recently, and that they received reports that hilltop youth were planning to attack Palestinians in the area, leading to evacuation for security purposes.
Army Radio noted that in such cases, the military does not require prior approval from the political echelon; rather, the Central Command chief has the authority to order the evacuation.
The report said that the planned military operation was leaked hours in advance, allowing the hilltop youth to call for reinforcements, where they gathered to resist the evacuation. According to reports, dozens of Palestinian vehicles were set on fire in the village of Burqa, near the Tzur Harel outpost.
Over the course of Monday night, the IDF held a security assessment and decided that due to the preparation by hilltop youth and desire to limit violent confrontations, the evacuation would be postponed to another time.
Security forces told Army Radio that the decision to postpone the evacuation was because "it would not be wise to do this through confrontation and force."
The report also cited the IDF as saying that they would investigate the leak.
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