Over the course of the last day, in response to the deadly attack at Eli Junction on Route 60, more than one thousand Israelis have been reported to have made their way to the Samaria village of Evyatar, overlooking Tapuach Junction. Unlike previous attempts to repopulate the village, security forces have allowed the residents to enter the village itself, take up residence in the buildings, and conduct community activities there.
The village was built at the site of a former military outpost following the murder of Yehudah Guetta in 2021. Residents later left willingly to preempt a conflict with the previous government during a planned military eviction, but have since campaigned for the village to be recognized and the occupants allowed to return as they were promised. Although Israeli security forces have generally prevented citizens from making their way to the village itself, numerous protest marches to the gates of the village have been held, and a group of citizens attempts to organize prayers there on a daily basis.
The campaign has received the support of many political figures, including Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir and the Samaria Regional Council leader Yossi Dagan. A group of families of victims of terror called yesterday for the government to legitimize the village immediately.
Channel 13 News reports that the move to repopulate Evyatar was done with the knowledge and consent of Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant. Yesterday, after a security briefing at the IDF's Central Command, Netanyahu had a private discussion with Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer where the possibility of residents moving to Evyatar and its consequences were discussed.
Earlier a meeting was held between Smotrich and Netanyahu in which the demand for a move to Evyatar was raised, as well as the need to approve housing units in the town of Eli near the scene of the attack.
This morning the army was instructed by the political echelon not to evict the citizens from Evyatar for the time being. Netanyahu's office and the IDF spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.
