Why are Israeli tanks in the occupied West Bank?

Israel has deployed tanks to the occupied West Bank and ordered its forces to prepare for a "long-term presence" to combat Palestinian armed groups in the region's refugee camps. This move marks an escalation of military operations, further exacerbating tensions in the area. The increased military presence signals a more assertive approach by Israel in maintaining security control.

This operation occurs after approximately 40,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in the West Bank over the past month, since the ceasefire agreement in Gaza took effect. Simultaneously, increasingly assertive calls from Israeli hardliners for the complete annexation of Palestinian territories, coupled with proposals from former US President Trump to expel all residents of Gaza, have fueled fears of a new "Nakba" (Day of Catastrophe). The international community is watching closely to see how these developments unfold.

Israel's specific actions in the West Bank include deploying three tanks to the Jenin refugee camp, marking the first such deployment in the area since 2002. The previous deployment was aimed at suppressing the Palestinian uprising, the Second Intifada, which lasted until 2005. Israel's attacks began on January 21 and have extended south from Jenin and its refugee camp to Qabatiya, west to Burqin, and east from Tulkarm to the Nur Shams refugee camp. Furthermore, Israel has also targeted the southern West Bank, including Kobar and Silwad north of Ramallah, the Beitunia community of Ramallah, and Hebron.

While conducting raids, Israeli forces are also evicting people, destroying roads, imposing prolonged curfews, blocking town entrances, arresting individuals, and requisitioning homes for military use. The International Court of Justice stated in July that "governments have an obligation to ensure that Israel ends its illegal occupation immediately." The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in September calling on Israel to end its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories within a year. Under the Oslo Accords signed in the early 1990s, Israel controls most of the West Bank, while the Palestinian Authority administers other areas, an arrangement intended to lay the foundation for a two-state solution. As an occupying power, Israel is obligated under international law to ensure the safety of Palestinians, provide basic services, and respect human rights.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at a military ceremony on Sunday that the deployment demonstrates "we are fighting terrorism with all means, everywhere." The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates stated that this move is a continuation of Israel's "genocide, displacement, and annexation." Netanyahu has been under pressure from his far-right governing partners to suppress armed resistance in the West Bank during the pause in fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. His statement also indicated that Israel is "entering terrorist strongholds, leveling entire streets and their houses used by terrorists." This follows a series of bus explosions near Tel Aviv, which resulted in no casualties and for which no organization has claimed responsibility.

Approximately 40,000 Palestinians have fled the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, Nur Shams, and Faria, which are now largely deserted. It remains unclear how long people will be prevented from returning to their homes. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that troops would be stationed in parts of the territory for a year, and the tens of thousands of Palestinians forced to leave would not be allowed to return. "We will not allow residents to return, and we will not allow terrorism to return and develop," he said. Currently, neither Israeli nor Palestinian authorities have developed plans to resettle the displaced, who are living in temporary accommodations under harsh conditions.

Israel has forced the main agency providing aid to Palestinians, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), to close its headquarters in Jerusalem. Katz ordered UNRWA to cease its activities in West Bank refugee camps. Israel accuses UNRWA of supporting armed groups and passed a law on January 30 prohibiting it from operating within Israel. Physicians for Human Rights stated that there are severe shortages of food, electricity, and medical supplies, adding that Israeli forces are "obstructing Red Crescent vehicles and humanitarian services, delaying their ability to provide first aid or transport patients for treatment."

With the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza already appearing fragile, the attacks in the West Bank risk upsetting the balance. Hamas official Basem Naim told Al Jazeera that Hamas condemns the Israeli attacks and believes Netanyahu is "deliberately undermining the agreement" in preparation for resuming the war. Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the military has raised the "operational readiness" around Gaza and is "prepared to resume intense fighting at any time."