JENIN, West Bank — On Sunday, Israel’s Defense Minister announced that troops would continue their presence in parts of the occupied West Bank for “the coming year.” This follows a prolonged offensive in the region, which has led to tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians being barred from returning to their homes as Israel intensifies its military actions in Palestinian territories.
Israel commenced its extensive military campaign in northern West Bank on January 21, shortly after a ceasefire that paused the conflict in Gaza was established. The operation has since been broadened to encompass additional nearby regions. While Israel asserts that these actions are aimed at dismantling militant operations amidst a marked uptick in violence, Palestinians contend that such military incursions serve to entrench Israeli dominance over the region’s 3 million inhabitants living under military governance. The offensives have resulted in significant casualties, destruction in urban environments, and the displacement of many.
Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed that he instructed the military to prepare for an extended presence in various urban refugee camps the Israeli forces have raided, noting that approximately 40,000 Palestinians have fled from these areas. This figure has been corroborated by the United Nations, which highlighted that many locations have been left “emptied of residents.” Katz emphasized the need for the military to ensure that these areas do not see a resurgence of residents or militant activities, although it remains unclear how long the displaced individuals will be kept from returning.
Israeli forces have announced a widening of their operations in the West Bank and, notably, are sending tanks to Jenin—a city known for its significant historical resistance against Israeli control. This deployment marks the first usage of tanks in the territory since 2002. Three tanks were observed on Sunday from a vantage point near Jenin, signifying an escalation in military engagement.
The refugee camps serve as shelters for the descendants of Palestinians who were forced to flee during various conflicts with Israel decades ago. Since the early 1990s, interim peace agreements have allowed Israel to maintain control over substantial portions of the West Bank, while the Palestinian Authority governs other regions. Although Israeli forces frequently enter Palestinian areas, they typically withdraw once their missions are completed.
According to the United Nations, the ongoing military operation represents the longest since the early 2000s Palestinian uprising. Violence in the West Bank has surged concurrently with the Israel-Hamas conflict. Although Israel has launched multiple raids, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing increasing pressure from far-right political allies to confront the rising militancy in the West Bank, especially now that combat in Gaza and southern Lebanon has diminished.
Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023, more than 800 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives in the West Bank. Israel claims that the majority of those were involved in militant activities, yet many fatalities include young protesters and bystanders. The most recent military incursion involved the death of a pregnant Palestinian woman.
Additionally, there has been a notable increase in violent acts carried out by Jewish settlers within Palestinian areas. Reports also indicate a rise in Palestinian attacks originating from the West Bank, including a suspected militant attack late Thursday that damaged three parked buses in Israel.
As this intensifying military activity unfolds, it coincides with a precarious ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which, while still in effect, remains fragile. In a related development, Israel announced it would delay the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners until it receives assurances regarding what it terms “humiliating” conditions related to the handover of hostages. Negotiations for extending the ceasefire have yet to commence, and a breakdown could reignite hostilities in Gaza.
The West Bank, along with Gaza and East Jerusalem, was captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, and Palestinians aspire to establish an independent state comprising these three territories.
