An extensive military operation has resulted in the evacuation of three major refugee camps in the West Bank, escalating tensions in the region.
Major Escalation in Israeli Operations Leads to Refugee Camps' Evacuation
Major Escalation in Israeli Operations Leads to Refugee Camps' Evacuation
Israel's military expands its foothold in the West Bank, leaving thousands displaced as conflict intensifies.
Israel has forcibly evacuated residents from three major refugee camps in the occupied West Bank amid a comprehensive military operation sustained since January. Defence Minister Israel Katz declared the camps in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams "empty" and indicated an Israeli military presence would oversee the territories for at least the next year. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported the unprecedented deployment of a tank division surrounding Jenin, marking a significant military escalation reminiscent of operations from two decades ago. The Palestinian Authority swiftly condemned the actions, labeling them as a blatant overreach.
Recent reports from the UN have highlighted a staggering "forced displacement" of around 40,000 individuals as a direct result of the ongoing military actions that commenced on January 21. Katz announced, “So far, 40,000 Palestinians have evacuated from the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams, which are now devoid of residents.” He also indicated a directive for the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) to halt its operations in those areas.
In response to the increased military presence, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, criticized the tank deployment as a severe escalation that could further destabilize the region. Meanwhile, the IDF has reiterated its commitment to thwarting terrorism, having expanded operations that encompass drones, tanks, special forces, border police, and the intelligence agency Shin Bet.
The ongoing offensive has resulted in considerable casualties, with 51 Palestinians, including seven children, reported dead in recent weeks, alongside three Israeli soldiers. Additionally, the military campaign has wreaked havoc on vital water and sanitation systems, severely hindering water access for tens of thousands in the impacted areas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent visit to the Tulkarm refugee camp coincided with calls to enhance military actions, directly correlating with the recent explosion of three buses in Tel Aviv, which is under investigation as a possible terror attack. The backdrop of such violence is rooted in the longstanding Israeli occupation of the West Bank, which began after the 1967 Six Day War, a scenario complicated by the establishment of settlements considered illegal under international law.
Recent reports from the UN have highlighted a staggering "forced displacement" of around 40,000 individuals as a direct result of the ongoing military actions that commenced on January 21. Katz announced, “So far, 40,000 Palestinians have evacuated from the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams, which are now devoid of residents.” He also indicated a directive for the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) to halt its operations in those areas.
In response to the increased military presence, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, criticized the tank deployment as a severe escalation that could further destabilize the region. Meanwhile, the IDF has reiterated its commitment to thwarting terrorism, having expanded operations that encompass drones, tanks, special forces, border police, and the intelligence agency Shin Bet.
The ongoing offensive has resulted in considerable casualties, with 51 Palestinians, including seven children, reported dead in recent weeks, alongside three Israeli soldiers. Additionally, the military campaign has wreaked havoc on vital water and sanitation systems, severely hindering water access for tens of thousands in the impacted areas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent visit to the Tulkarm refugee camp coincided with calls to enhance military actions, directly correlating with the recent explosion of three buses in Tel Aviv, which is under investigation as a possible terror attack. The backdrop of such violence is rooted in the longstanding Israeli occupation of the West Bank, which began after the 1967 Six Day War, a scenario complicated by the establishment of settlements considered illegal under international law.
