Israeli army deploys troops to protect settlers after they seize homes in Jericho

The Israeli army has redeployed three combat battalions to the West Bank city of Jericho and its surrounding areas to protect settler families who have moved into eight homes in Area C near the city, Hebrew-language media reported.

The move came after settlers took over the homes without prior coordination with the army or informing security authorities.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the arrival of the Jewish families took the army and the 96th Division, stationed in the Jericho area and along the eastern border, by surprise.

This forced the army to redirect troops from other security missions, including efforts to prevent smuggling along the border with Jordan.

The newspaper claimed that the settlers had followed a model previously used in Hebron, where they bought homes from Palestinians and moved into them quickly without prior coordination with security officials.

It also noted that, in previous cases in Hebron, the Israeli army had evacuated settlers from homes until the purchase documents were completed.

In Jericho, however, the homes were bought in Area C, which is under Israeli civil and military control, and on land that the newspaper said belongs to the state rather than being privately owned by Palestinians.