IDF sources on Saturday night admitted to The Jerusalem Post that IDF Central Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth met with the regional defense officer, Lt. Col. Elitzur Trabelsi, before the recent move of settlers to a new outpost near Jericho, but denied that they discussed the move or took any action behind the back of Bluth's designated officers.
A Haaretz report on Friday night said that Bluth had "several conversations...in the days leading up to the entry between representatives of the Binyamin Regional Council in the West Bank, the pro-settlement Nachala movement and the regional defense officer, Lt. Col. Elitzur Trabelsi, who was involved in coordinating the move."
The report also said Bluth ordered his usual subordinates, who would handle the issue, to be left out of the loop to facilitate some of the settlers' plans.
In contrast, IDF sources told the Post that Bluth has a myriad of meetings with West Bank settler officials on a constant basis about tons of routine issues, and that his meetings with Trabelsi or otherwise related to such standard issues, not the controversial plot alleged in the Haaretz report.
IDF sources said they were asked a series of convoluted questions seeking different sets of information, which led to a misunderstanding by Haaretz.
On the record, the IDF called the entire Haaretz report false.
The Post could not independently confirm either account.
Bluth has been alternately accused by right-wingers of being too strong in enforcement against illegal moves by settlers and by left-wingers of only carrying out enforcement against settlers when there are reported cases he cannot ignore, but without showing any serious initiative.
IDF conducts field tours to examine incident area
Earlier on Saturday, Walla learned that commanders in the Central Command conducted field tours to examine the incident site on the border of Jericho.
According to an IDF official, the examination of the citizens' claims regarding the purchase of the land will continue over the coming week. To date, the purchase process of the settlers remains unclear. A security official stated that, at this stage, it is not known whether the process has received the approval of the Civil Administration.
An authoritative military source added that, "The mission of the force located at a military outpost that previously existed in the sector is to ensure the security of all residents in the area and prevent terror and friction incidents."
Sources note incident could potentially impact other IDF operations in area
At this stage, there is no intention to increase the military presence in the sector; however, the fact that the force is required for an additional, unexpected mission has the potential to impact other operational tasks in the region, the sources noted.
As of Saturday night, Bluth decided that entry into and exit from the neighborhood will be carried out several times a day, accompanied by a military escort, until another decision is reached on the matter.
Furthermore, checks conducted through the Civil Administration found that two families from the Bedouin community in the area chose to leave their temporary structures. The IDF contacted them and stressed that it intended to assist them so they would not be forced to evacuate; however, despite the offer, the families decided to leave.
Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.