The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) deployed tanks to the West Bank on Sunday for the first time in over 20 years. The military announced an expansion of its ongoing counter-terrorism operation in the northern part of the territory.
Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to remain in West Bank refugee camps for at least a year. He also ordered that 40,000 displaced Palestinians should not return to cleared areas.
Palestinian media shared images of three Merkava tanks near Jenin. The IDF later confirmed that a platoon from the 188th Armoured Brigade had deployed. A typical armoured platoon consists of two or three tanks.
This is the first time since the 2002 Operation Defensive Shield that Israeli tanks have entered the West Bank. The deployment is part of Operation Iron Wall, launched on 21 January.
Military expansion and recent raids
Troops from the Nahal Infantry Brigade and the Duvdevan Commando Unit launched operations in several villages near Jenin.
The decision to expand operations followed explosions in Tel Aviv suburbs on Thursday. Three empty buses exploded in Bat Yam and Holon car parks. Authorities later found two more explosive devices on other buses in Holon. No casualties were reported. Officials believe the attack originated from the West Bank.
Katz stated that 40,000 Palestinians had evacuated from the Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams refugee camps. He confirmed that UNRWA had halted its activities in these areas.
He added that IDF forces were dismantling militant infrastructure and weapons on a large scale. “We will prevent residents from returning and rebuilding terror infrastructure,” he said.
“We will not return to the previous situation. Our forces will continue clearing refugee camps and dismantling armed groups supported by Iran,” he added.
IDF expands military operations in the West Bank
The IDF’s crackdown began after a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. It also follows Palestinian Authority actions against militant groups.
Jenin has seen frequent raids since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. That attack triggered the Gaza conflict and intensified Israeli operations in the West Bank. The IDF has since expanded into towns like Tulkarem.
UNRWA reports that over 40,100 Palestinians have fled their homes since Operation Iron Wall began.
Humanitarian officials say the West Bank has not seen displacement on this scale since the 1967 Six-Day War. At that time, Israel took control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, displacing around 300,000 Palestinians.
The IDF reports that troops have killed more than 70 Palestinian militants and detained 300 others.
Israeli forces have acknowledged mistakenly killing civilians, including a toddler and a pregnant woman.
