Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has called for the military to transfer responsibility for protecting Palestinians in the West Bank to the police. This directive comes in the wake of incidents where two Palestinian families were reportedly besieged by violent Israeli settlers.

Gallant's statement suggests a shift in security duties, implying that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) may no longer be the primary entity tasked with ensuring the safety of Palestinian civilians from settler violence. The move reflects a growing concern, or at least a public acknowledgment, of the challenges in maintaining order and protecting vulnerable populations in the occupied territories.

The decision has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, and the role of the Israeli military in mediating or enforcing security in the region. The call for the police to take over protection duties highlights a potential re-evaluation of the military's mandate in civilian protection matters within the West Bank.