Israel’s defense minister said West Bank residents were unable to return to clear the camps.
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The Israeli Defense Minister said that as the Israeli military expands its operations against militants on the territory, thousands of displaced Palestinians will not be allowed to return homes in the occupied West Bank.
The “Iron Wall” military offensive launched late last month has been considered the most extensive Israeli operation in the West Bank for more than 20 years.
Israeli Defense Minister Katz said on Sunday that he had instructed the military to “prepare for a long stay in the camps that were cleared in the coming year and residents are not allowed to return.”
“We are not going to go back to the reality we have in the past. We will continue to clean up refugee camps and other terrorism centers to remove them. [militant] Extreme Islamic battalions and horror infrastructure were built. ” Katz added.
Israeli forces have so far targeted armed groups primarily in northern refugee camps in Jenning, Turkarim, Nur Shams and Faya. The IDF said on Sunday that a tank platoon had been deployed to Jenin and that operations had been expanded to the neighboring town of Qabatiya.
According to UN figures, more than 50 Palestinians were killed in the military operations, including a 13-year-old girl in Jenning on Friday, and three Israeli soldiers. The United Nations estimates that about 40,000 people have been forced to evacuate from their homes due to the fight.
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Israeli officials have previously said the evacuation from the camp was voluntary and locals would be able to return freely.
When visiting the Jenning camp with the Israeli military last week, the Financial Times confirmed that the area was almost completely emptied by more than 15,000 people. According to Israel estimates, due to the battle, most of the camps left by only about 1,000 people (including major roads, schools, mosques and at least twenty buildings) were destroyed.
Israeli military officials said they targeted the local Jenning Brigade, a loose alliance of young armed personnel from factions such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who united to improve their effectiveness.
Local travel or Katibuthe model has been replicated in other areas of the North Western Bank, including at Camp Turcalum, which is the origin of the bus bombing in Israel claimed on Thursday.
Three IED devices were detonated on buses in the outskirts of Tel Aviv, while a fourth device was neutralized by security forces. During the explosion, the bus was empty and no one was injured.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Turkam refugee camp on Friday and vowed to expand the attack on the West Bank.
“We are entering the stronghold of terrorism, balance the entire streets of terrorists and their home use, and eliminate terrorists and commanders,” he said.
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Additionally, a fragile U.S. agent ceasefire between Israel and Gaza Hamas is suspected, even as radical groups released earlier in the day after Netanyahu delayed the release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners late Saturday, despite radical groups being released earlier in the day Six Israeli hostages were taken.
The Prime Minister’s Office accused Hamas of “repeated violations” of the agreement reached last month, including “cynical hostages for propaganda purposes.”
“It has been decided to postpone the release of the planned terrorists yesterday until the release of the next hostage is released and there is no ritual of humiliation,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Hamas is expected to release the remains of four Israeli hostages on Thursday.
The initial 42-day armistice between Israel and Hamas will end next weekend, talking about the second phase of the deal – the release of dozens of remaining Israeli hostages can be seen and the war will end permanently – has not yet begun seriously.
Hamas issued a statement on Sunday that Israel’s decision to delay the release of prisoners, calling it a “obvious violation” of the ceasefire agreement, while Netanyahu “deliberately attempted” to undermine the agreement.
“We ask [international] Mediator. . . Take their responsibilities and put pressure on the occupation to enforce the agreement and release prisoners without delay. ” the statement added.