Israel sent tanks into the occupied West Bank on Sunday (February 23), marking the first time in decades. The Palestinian Authority called this action a “dangerous escalation”, while Israeli Defense Minister had previously stated that the Israeli military would be stationed in certain areas of the West Bank for a year.
According to scenes witnessed by Associated Press reporters, several tanks entered the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, which has long been a stronghold of anti-Israel militants.
Israel is strengthening its control over the occupied West Bank territories, stating that in light of increasing attacks, Israel is determined to eliminate radical elements.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to “increase military activities in all refugee camps in the West Bank to defeat terrorism.”
He stated, “We will not allow terrorism to resurface and grow stronger.”
Katz earlier stated that he had instructed the Israeli military to be prepared to extend the stay in some refugee camps in cities in the West Bank. He also mentioned that approximately 40,000 Palestinians fled from there, rendering these areas “uninhabited.” This figure has been confirmed by the United Nations.
Katz declared that Israeli forces would continue to be stationed for the “next year.” Netanyahu added that the Israeli military would stay “as long as necessary.”
The last time Israel deployed tanks in the region was in 2002, during a deadly uprising.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described Israel’s tank deployment as a “dangerous escalation of the situation in the West Bank” and urged the international community to intervene in Israel’s military actions through a statement.
Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East War, but Palestinians hope that these three territories will become part of their future independent state.
According to interim peace agreements reached in the early ’90s, Israel continues to control most of the West Bank, while the Palestinian Authority manages other areas. Israel regularly sends troops to Palestinian-controlled areas, but usually withdraws after completing their missions.
Violence in the West Bank has increased during the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
(Adapted from Associated Press report)