Major General Nitzan Alon (center) Photo: Noam Arnon/ Tazpit News Agency.

The Commander of the IDF’s Central Command, Major General Nitzan Alon, addressed the current security situation in Judea and Samaria during a recent ceremony held in honor of the Jewish New Year, which was attended by community leaders and mayors from the region. Alon believes that the situation in general is stable, but he is bracing for a possible escalation.

He discussed the upheaval which has occurred throughout the Middle East during the past two years which has created what he calls a new geo-strategic map and operational status for the State of Israel. “We are concluding a securely stable year in the sector under the Central Command, which has continued to be a secondary zone. We hope that the peaceful security situation will persist and will enable the Jewish communities to continue with their growth and development,” he said.

Regarding the instability in the Palestinian Authority controlled areas, Alon stated that in past weeks the IDF has noticed an escalation in local incidents, possibly indicating the beginning of a Palestinian “Arab Spring.” He noted that this escalation may pose a challenge to the IDF in Judea and Samaria.

Alon said that the current situation demands the achievement of two important goals: maintaining existing stability and prevention of further intensification. To ensure success, a constant alert readiness for a possible escalation in Judea and Samaria or other zones is crucial. “As commanding officers, we must prepare ourselves and our units, getting ready for the most difficult scenarios, checking our emergency storages and improving our operational plans. We must act as foresters when the forest is very flammable, and matches are spread throughout the terrain.”