Defense Minister confirms IDF Central Command Chief Bluth not dismissed

Defense Minister Israel Katz has confirmed that Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth has not been dismissed and continues to perform his duties effectively as IDF Central Command Chief. Katz made the clarification during a meeting with heads of local authorities from the West Bank on Monday, addressing recent scrutiny Bluth has faced. Reports had suggested Bluth was under pressure due to contradictory policies and an alleged intensification of Arab terrorism under his command. Katz's statement on Sunday during a Channel 14 interview had already denied calls for Bluth's removal. The meeting at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv focused on combating Palestinian terrorism and strengthening West Bank communities. Local West Bank leaders present expressed strong support for Katz's security initiatives, particularly highlighting what they termed a "settlement revolution." They credited Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with recognizing 104 new communities and 160 agricultural farms in the West Bank. The leaders also praised Katz for canceling administrative detention orders against settlers, attributing an 80% decrease in terrorist incidents to this policy. Both Katz and the West Bank leaders emphasized the strategic importance of these communities and the ongoing efforts against Palestinian terrorism.