Israeli tanks rolled into the occupied West Bank for the first time in over two decades, escalating military operations in the volatile region.
Eyewitnesses in Jenin saw a handful of tanks enter the city on Sunday, marking a significant shift in Israel’s strategy against Palestinian fighters. The incursion follows Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s declaration that troops will remain in parts of the territory for the coming year.
Israel launched a military offensive in the northern West Bank on January 21, two days after a ceasefire in Gaza. The operation has since expanded, with Israeli leaders vowing to prevent the return of Palestinians who have fled combat zones.
“We will not allow the return of residents, and we will not allow terrorism to return and grow,” Katz stated, reinforcing the government’s position on prolonged military control.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 40,000 Palestinians have fled urban refugee camps targeted by Israeli raids. These camps house descendants of Palestinians displaced during previous wars with Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the military’s commitment, saying forces will remain “as long as needed” to dismantle resistance networks. The last time Israeli tanks entered the West Bank was during the 2002 Palestinian uprising.
The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned the latest military actions, calling them “a dangerous escalation” and urging the international community to intervene. Violence has surged across the West Bank since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023.
Over 800 Palestinians have been killed, including fighters, stone-throwing protesters, and bystanders, according to local reports. A pregnant Palestinian woman was among the latest casualties.
Jewish settler attacks on Palestinian areas have also intensified, fueling further unrest. Meanwhile, Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from far-right political allies to crack down on West Bank resistance.