The IDF has withdrawn the headquarters of its elite 98th Division from southern Judea and Samaria after more than a month of operations. On the surface, this appears to be a routine military redeployment. But given Israel’s increasingly volatile security environment, the decision raises a much larger question: Is the IDF reducing its presence in Judea and Samaria because the immediate threat has diminished, or is it preparing its forces for a more dangerous confrontation elsewhere?
The 98th Division headquarters assumed operational command over the Judea and Etzion regional brigades on September 25, relieving pressure on the Judea and Samaria Division during a period of heightened tensions. Although the division did not deploy its own organic combat units, its headquarters oversaw an intensive campaign against terrorist infrastructure and security threats throughout the southern sector.
According to the IDF, forces operating under its command conducted approximately 1,500 operations, arrested 140 suspects, and confiscated roughly 35 weapons.
These numbers reveal the scale of Israel’s ongoing security challenge in its biblical heartland.
But the deployment also came at a terrible cost. Two IDF soldiers were killed in a shooting attack at a checkpoint outside Hebron, a painful reminder that even heavily secured positions remain vulnerable to determined terrorists.
AFSI Insight
The reported withdrawal of the IDF’s elite 98th Division from Judea and Samaria raises serious questions about Israel’s long-term security strategy. At a time when terrorist threats remain active and Iran-backed networks continue seeking opportunities to destabilize the region, Israel cannot afford to weaken its presence in this strategically vital heartland. Security in Judea and Samaria is directly tied to the safety of Israel’s population centers. Any redeployment must be carefully evaluated to ensure that operational priorities do not come at the expense of sustained counterterrorism efforts and the protection of Israeli communities.
The 98th Division’s withdrawal should not be mistaken for a reduction in the terrorist threat. The IDF reported approximately 1,500 operations, 140 arrests, and 35 weapons seized during its deployment, underscoring the continuing security challenges. Israel must maintain an aggressive, proactive security posture in Judea and Samaria, with the freedom and capability to prevent terrorism rather than simply manage it.