Israeli aggression, a violation of international laws, in the West Bank of Palestine continues, with more Israeli tanks found in the region, particularly in the city of Jenin, for the first time in more than two decades, as military officials state that the campaign will continue for at least a year.
The Israeli defence minister claimed a successful invasion in the region, from where about 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced with the prospect of not returning.
The latest offensive, launched two days after the Gaza ceasefire took effect on 19 January, has resulted in over 50 deaths and extensive destruction of roads and infrastructure in refugee camps that have historically served as centres of resistance.
Israeli forces began large-scale operations in the West Bank in 2022 following a series of Palestinian attacks, but violence has intensified since the Hamas-led assault on 7 October 2023 triggered the war in Gaza.
The situation in the West Bank has deteriorated further after a series of bus explosions near Tel Aviv on Thursday night, which detonated prematurely and caused no casualties. A faction of Hamas’ military wing from the West Bank city of Tulkarem praised the attacks without officially taking responsibility.
As the conflict escalates in the West Bank, the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza remains under strain, with Israel suspending the release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners following the handover of six Israeli hostages by Hamas on Saturday.
The exchange had been part of an agreement that is now facing uncertainty, with both sides maintaining their demands before any further steps can be taken. Negotiations on the second phase of the deal, which is expected to include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, are set to resume, but no date has been confirmed.
Israeli leadership has indicated that military operations in Gaza could resume at any moment if the truce collapses, asserting that the war’s objectives will be achieved through diplomacy or force.
Hamas, however, has warned that no further dialogue will take place before Israel fulfils its commitment to release Palestinian prisoners, urging mediators to ensure that the terms of the agreement are implemented.