Israeli Troops to Stay in West Bank Refugee Camps for a Year
Military Operations Expand with Tank Deployments
Jerusalem: Israel announced on Sunday that its troops will remain in West Bank refugee camps for the coming year, as part of expanded military operations, including tank deployments, following the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Background to the Conflict
The military operation in the West Bank began a month ago, just after a truce began in the Gaza Strip, another Palestinian territory. The operation spans multiple refugee camps near the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas.
Defence Minister’s Statement
Defence Minister Israel Katz said, "So far, 40,000 Palestinians have evacuated from the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams, which are now empty of residents. I have instructed troops to prepare for a prolonged presence in the cleared camps for the coming year and to prevent the return of residents and the resurgence of terrorism."
United Nations Reports
According to the United Nations, the Israeli offensive has so far killed at least 51 Palestinians, including seven children, and three Israeli soldiers, as well as displacing at least 40,000 people.
Tank Deployments
On Sunday, Israel’s military said a tank division will operate in Jenin as part of "expanding" operations in the area. This is the first time tanks have operated in the territory since the end of the second intifada, or uprising, in 2005. The Nahal (infantry) Brigade and (elite) Duvdevan Unit forces have begun to intervene in other villages in the north of the territory, Katz’s statement said, adding that the forces "are continuing their operations in the Jenin and Tulkarem regions."
Prime Minister’s Visit to Troops
The statement comes two days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a rare visit to troops in the territory, ordered the army to step up its operations in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. His visit to Tulkarem refugee camp drew Palestinian condemnation.
‘Flattening Entire Streets’
Netanyahu’s announcement came after bombs that Israeli officials said resembled those used by militants in the West Bank exploded on multiple empty buses in central Israel on Thursday, without causing any injuries. "We are entering terrorist strongholds, flattening entire streets that terrorists use, and their homes. We are eliminating terrorists, commanders," Netanyahu said.
Army Demolitions
In both Tulkarem and Jenin, the army has demolished dozens of homes with explosives, opening up new access routes into the densely built camps. Armoured bulldozers have wreaked havoc, upturning tarmac, cutting water pipes, and tearing down roadside facades.
Violence in the West Bank
Violence in the West Bank has surged since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023. Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 900 Palestinians, including many militants, in the territory since the start of the Gaza war, according to the Palestinian health ministry. At least 32 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the territory over the same period, according to Israeli official figures.
Conclusion
The Israeli military operation in the West Bank has resulted in significant displacement and violence, with thousands of Palestinians forced to flee their homes. The decision to keep troops in the refugee camps for the coming year is likely to escalate the situation further, with potential long-term consequences for the region.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the Israeli military operation in the West Bank?
The operation aims to prevent the return of Palestinian residents to refugee camps and to prevent the resurgence of terrorism. - How many Palestinians have been displaced by the operation?
At least 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced, according to the United Nations. - How many Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the West Bank?
At least 32 Israelis have been killed, according to Israeli official figures. - What is the current situation in the Gaza Strip?
A truce began in the Gaza Strip just after the Israeli military operation in the West Bank began, and violence has surged in the West Bank since then.