The Defense Minister of Israel, Israel Katz, announced on Sunday that the Israeli military is intensifying its activities in the occupied West Bank and intends to maintain a presence in certain refugee camps for the foreseeable future. This decision comes as part of the ongoing military campaign dubbed “Operation Iron Wall,” primarily targeting the northern region of the West Bank. The operation was initiated shortly after the cessation of hostilities in Gaza and has resulted in a reported 27 casualties, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
In a statement, Minister Katz instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for an extended stay in the recently cleared camps, aiming to prevent the residents from returning and thwart any potential resurgence of terrorism in the area. Notably, three refugee camps – Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams – have been evacuated, leaving approximately 40,000 individuals displaced. Some residents who fled the Jenin camp shared their uncertainty about when they would be allowed to return to their homes, as directed by the Israeli military.
Recent developments have seen Israeli forces demolishing numerous apartment buildings in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, as confirmed by a Palestinian official. Furthermore, the IDF announced its operational expansion into additional towns within the Jenin vicinity, with plans to introduce tank units for the first time post the second intifada in 2005.
Since the attack by Hamas on October 7th, Israel has escalated its military campaign against West Bank militants, utilizing tactics such as airstrikes that were previously uncommon in the region. Minister Katz emphasized that the IDF is actively engaged in offensive operations to eliminate terrorist threats, neutralize militants, and dismantle terror infrastructure, including buildings and weapon stockpiles.
Asserting the commitment to eradicate radical Islam’s influence, Katz pledged to persist in clearing out refugee camps and other terror hotspots to dismantle extremist factions effectively. The Palestinian foreign ministry has dismissed Israel’s justifications as mere pretexts to assert control over the territory.
This comprehensive report was a collaborative effort by CNN’s Kareem Khadder and Irene Nasser. Stay updated with the latest news and newsletters from CNN by creating an account on CNN.com.
