Israel says it’s widening its military operations in the West Bank and plans to keep soldiers in some Palestinian refugee camps for up to a year. Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed troops have cleared out three camps—Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams—forcing around 40,000 Palestinians to leave. He said soldiers will stay to “stop attacks from happening again” and prevent people from returning.
For weeks, Israeli forces have used bulldozers to destroy homes, roads, and water systems, mainly in Jenin and Tulkarem. Tanks were sent into Jenin for the first time in nearly 20 years, sparking anger from Palestinian leaders. A spokesperson for President Mahmoud Abbas called the move “dangerous” and warned it could worsen tensions.
Since a Gaza ceasefire began in January, Israeli raids in Jenin alone have killed at least 27 Palestinians. The latest military push followed unexplained explosions on empty buses near Tel Aviv last week, which Israel called an attempted attack. No one was hurt, and no group took responsibility.
On Sunday, Palestinian reports said Israeli troops arrested people in Nablus and East Jerusalem, tore up water and power lines in Qabatiya, and set up checkpoints in neighborhoods. Over 800 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the Gaza war started in October, according to local authorities.
Israel says these operations aim to stop violence, but critics argue they deepen suffering for Palestinians and make peace harder to reach. Families forced from the camps now face uncertainty about when—or if—they can return home.