Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the IDF to prepare for the possibility of “all-out war” against the Palestinian Authority if PA security forces launch—or Israel knows they are about to launch—an October 7-style attack against Israeli communities and IDF forces.

Think about what that means.

For 30 years, the world has demanded that Israel treat the Palestinian Authority as a “peace partner” and the foundation of a future Palestinian state.

Now Israel is preparing for the possibility of fighting the PA’s own armed security forces.

The danger is particularly alarming because of geography. Unlike Gaza, Palestinian Authority-controlled areas in Judea and Samaria sit immediately adjacent to major Israeli population centers. Jerusalem, Kfar Saba, Petah Tikva, Rosh Ha’ayin and other Israeli cities could face a radically different threat environment if PA forces ever turned their weapons against Israel.