Israel announced on Sunday an expansion of its military operation against armed Palestinian groups in the occupied West Bank, marking the first deployment of tanks in the region in two decades.
Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that tens of thousands of Palestinian residents displaced from areas targeted by the operation would not be allowed to return to their homes, heightening tensions in the region.
This decision followed a series of bomb explosions on three buses in Tel Aviv's suburbs on Thursday night, which caused no injuries as the buses had emptied prior to the blasts. The police investigation revealed that the devices resembled improvised bombs made in the West Bank, reminiscent of past deadly attacks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a “massive operation” in the West Bank in response to the bombings, emphasizing the military's ongoing campaign to root out militant groups and prevent further terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians.
During a visit to the military officers’ training school, Netanyahu indicated that troops would remain in the West Bank “as long as needed,” asserting that the deployment of tanks signified a commitment to combating terrorism comprehensively.
Netanyahu and Katz visited the Tulkarem refugee camp on Friday, an area housing many refugees from the 1948 war, which is a focal point of Israel's military operation. Despite being nominally under Palestinian Authority control, the area has seen significant military activity.
The Israeli operation has reportedly displaced around 40,000 Palestinians, marking the largest civilian displacement in the territory since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The military denies allegations of forced evacuations, stating that while some individuals were ordered to leave specific buildings near militant hideouts, movement in general was not impeded.
Approximately 3,000 individuals have returned to the al-Faraa camp, yet concerns remain regarding a potential Israeli strategy to permanently displace Palestinians and increase control over areas governed by the Palestinian Authority.
Katz noted that 40,000 Palestinians had vacated areas in Tulkarem and Jenin, which he claimed were now “empty of residents.” He instructed the military to prepare for an extended presence in these camps and to prevent the return of residents.
The Palestinian Authority condemned Katz's statements and military actions as a “dangerous escalation,” accusing Israel of attempting to enforce a policy of forced displacement in the West Bank. The Authority called for international intervention to address what it described as Israel's “unchecked aggression.”
Reports from the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, indicated that 27 individuals had been killed in the ongoing Israeli campaign in Jenin, with over 100 homes demolished. Additionally, Israeli forces reportedly destroyed infrastructure in Qabatiya.
When questioned about the duration of the residents' absence from their homes, a spokesman for Katz stated that it would depend on the security situation. The Israeli military, while not commenting directly on this issue, announced plans to expand operations in the Jenin area and reported apprehending 26 terrorism suspects over the weekend.
The military also indicated that it destroys roads to reveal explosives hidden beneath the surface.