An IDF spokesperson stated late Saturday night that the Sabbath evacuation of the Homesh community was due to “security concerns.” The IDF said, “Last Friday, several people went up to Homesh in north Samaria, against protocol and orders and after the entrance of the Sabbath.”
The IDF furthermore stated, “In light of the danger of remaining in this area, and in order to protect them, a border police force was sent to remove them from the area.” The IDF noted that the group’s conduct endangered both the group and the border police, who were dispatched to remove them.