Israel Deploys Tanks in West Bank for First Time in 20 Years
Jenin, West Bank/Jerusalem, February 23 – Israeli forces, in an unprecedented move, deployed tanks into the occupied West Bank on Sunday for the first time in over two decades. This escalation comes amidst a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and intensifying military operations to combat Palestinian militant groups in refugee camps.
Ceasefire Under Strain
The ceasefire in Gaza faced setbacks when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halted the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees as a reprisal for public displays of Israeli hostages handed over during the truce.
West Bank Refugee Camps Targeted
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced in the past month as the Israeli military has cracked down on Iranian-backed groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, in crowded refugee camps in cities like Jenin and Tulkarm.
Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed that approximately 40,000 Palestinians had been removed from the camps, which he declared empty. The military has intensified operations following a series of explosions in bus depots near Tel Aviv, reviving memories of suicide bombings during the Palestinian uprising two decades ago.
Condemnation and Escalation
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, denounced the deployment of tanks in the northern West Bank as a dangerous escalation that undermines stability and calm.
Israeli Forces Dig In
The military reported arresting 26 militants and seizing guns and weapons during operations in Jenin, Tulkarm, Nur Shams, Nablus, Qabatiya, and Deir Qaddis. Troops have demolished infrastructure, including roads, disrupting power and water supplies.
Hamas asserted that the use of tanks underscores the threats faced by Israeli forces from militant fighters in the camps.
West Bank Focus
With the fighting paused in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel has shifted its focus to the West Bank, where troops have been actively engaged but without the use of heavy tanks until now.
Annexation Concerns
The deployment of tanks, along with the Biblical names used for the West Bank, raises concerns about potential annexation by Israeli hardliners. The West Bank is seen by Palestinians as a core territory for a future state, but there have been calls for its annexation.
Trump’s Role
U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Palestinians be relocated from Gaza has heightened fears among Palestinians of a new "Nakba," or catastrophe, referring to the loss of their lands in 1948.
UNRWA Targeted
Israel has also targeted the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), accusing it of supporting militant groups. Katz ordered UNRWA to cease activities in the refugee camps, despite the agency’s denial of such accusations.
Ongoing Conflict
The conflict in the West Bank has claimed the lives of hundreds of Palestinian fighters and civilians, as well as dozens of Israelis. The violence, while not yet at the level of the Second Intifada, remains a source of concern for both sides.
International Response
The deployment of tanks and the ongoing conflict in the West Bank have drawn international attention. The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into Israeli actions, while the United States has expressed concern over the escalation and urged restraint from both sides.
