Israeli forces have begun deploying tanks in the occupied West Bank for the first time in over 20 years as part of a heightened military operation that has forcibly displaced 40,000 Palestinians from northern refugee camps.

On Sunday, Israel announced that its troops will maintain a presence in the West Bank camps for the upcoming year, expanding on their military efforts which now include the deployment of tanks.

Following a month’s suspension of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military initiated a large-scale raid targeting Palestinian combatants in the West Bank. This operation encompasses several refugee camps situated near the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas.

According to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, as of now, 40,000 Palestinians have fled the Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams refugee camps, which stand deserted.

Katz directed the military to be prepared for an extended stay in the now-vacant camps over the next year, with instructions to deter the return of inhabitants and prevent any resurgence of terrorism.

The United Nations reports that at least 51 Palestinians, including seven children, and three Israeli soldiers have been killed, and over 40,000 individuals displaced due to the Israeli campaign.

The military also declared that a tank division will be operating in Jenin as they intensify operations in the region. This marks the first introduction of tanks into the area since the conclusion of the second Intifada in 2005.

The Nahal Infantry Brigade and the elite Duvdevan Unit have extended their activities to other villages in the northern portion of the territory, with ongoing interventions in the Jenin and Tulkarem areas.

In Tulkarem and Jenin, the Israeli army has razed numerous homes with explosives, creating new access routes into the densely populated camps. Armored bulldozers have caused widespread destruction, dislodging asphalt, severing water pipes, and tearing down roadside buildings.

Violence within the West Bank has escalated since the Gaza conflict commenced in October 2023. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israeli forces or settlers have killed at least 900 Palestinians, many of whom are combatants, within the West Bank since the conflict began.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/2/24/israel-sends-tanks-into-west-bank-for-first-time-in-decades?traffic_source=rss