Israel Orders Military Preparation for Expanded Campaign Against Palestinian Authority

JERUSALEM — Israeli War Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have directed occupation forces to prepare for a comprehensive military campaign targeting senior officials of the Palestinian Authority and associated infrastructure in the West Bank. The directive, issued on September 7, 2026, outlines plans for what officials describe as a "total war" strategy aimed at swiftly dismantling the mechanisms of the Palestinian Authority and its affiliates.

The order marks a significant escalation in Israel's military posture in the occupied territories. While previous operations have focused primarily on Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, this new directive explicitly expands the scope of active engagement to include the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority maintains administrative control. The stated objective is the complete defeat of senior PA leadership and the neutralization of terror infrastructure linked to the organization.

Military preparations are underway across multiple fronts, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Lebanon. Defense officials indicate that the operation seeks to address what they characterize as an existential threat posed by the current governance structures in the Palestinian territories. The campaign is designed to operate with unprecedented speed to prevent the reorganization of targeted entities.

The announcement has raised immediate concerns regarding the stability of the West Bank, a region where the Palestinian Authority has long served as the primary governing body under international agreements. The move represents a fundamental shift in Israel's approach to the Palestinian leadership, moving from containment to active military confrontation against its administrative and security apparatus.

Palestinian officials have not yet issued a formal response to the specific details of the directive, though tensions in the region remain critically high. International observers are monitoring the situation closely as the potential for widespread conflict increases. The expansion of hostilities into areas previously under PA control could disrupt daily life for hundreds of thousands of civilians and complicate ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Questions remain regarding the specific timeline for the deployment of forces and the extent of international diplomatic intervention that may follow. As military units finalize their readiness, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East faces a potential transformation driven by this aggressive new strategy. The coming days will determine whether the directive leads to immediate kinetic action or serves as a strategic posture for future negotiations.