Israeli tanks remain stationed in the Al-Jabraiyat neighborhood overlooking the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, marking the second consecutive day of Israeli military presence. This follows a series of incursions and raids carried out by Israeli forces in various areas of the city at dawn on Monday. The escalation is part of what the Israeli army calls the “Iron Wall” operation, which saw military armored vehicles enter the occupied West Bank for the first time since 2002.

Local sources confirmed to the BBC that the Israeli army burned several homes inside the besieged Jenin camp. Over the past weeks, entire residential neighborhoods have been destroyed, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of residents. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that 27 Palestinians were killed during the military operation.

The Israeli army expanded its operations, storming several villages in the Jenin countryside, including Qabatiya, Al-Yamoun, and Burqin. Bulldozing operations continue, targeting streets and infrastructure in villages surrounding Jenin. Additionally, houses were raided, and arrest campaigns were launched against numerous Palestinians.

Activists and journalists reported the entry of four Israeli tanks from the gate of Al-Muqibla in the Marj Ibn Amer Plain towards the city of Jenin and its camp, where the Israeli military operation continues on its 35th day.

According to the Israeli army spokesman, the forces are working to expand their offensive operations in the area to thwart armed attacks. Forces from the “Nahal” brigade and the “Dawoodfan” unit, along with an armored unit including combat armored vehicles, are supporting military efforts in the Jenin area.

Israeli media reported that the introduction of armored vehicles to the occupied West Bank was a result of pressure from the political level on the Israeli army. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “This spread means one thing, which is that we will fight terrorism by all means and wherever it is.”

In an unprecedented visit, Netanyahu inspected the Israeli forces in the Tulkarm refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, ordering them to intensify the ongoing military operation there.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced the evacuation of 40,000 Palestinians from refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nour Shams, stating, “It is now free of population.” Katz added, “The instructions were issued to the soldiers to prepare for a long residence in the camps that were evacuated, for a year from now, and not to allow the return of their residents and the return of terrorism.”

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the deployment of heavy tanks near Jenin, considering it a prelude to deepening military operations in the northern West Bank and its camps. The ministry described Katz’s statements as a serious escalation, calling it “an open attempt to perpetuate the war of genocide and displacement against a defenseless people.”

The ministry called for the international community to urgently force Israel to stop its “aggression against the Palestinians.”

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement accused Israel of working to “include the West Bank by force,” after expelling inhabitants from three Palestinian camps in the occupied West Bank without the possibility of returning. The movement, which fought alongside Hamas in the Gaza Strip against Israel, stated, “The occupation forces used tanks as an additional oppression in their continuous escalation against our people in the West Bank, and decisions to evacuate three Palestinian camps are a new aggressive step aimed at uprooting our people from His land.”

The movement accused Israel of trying to “consolidate military domination by splitting settlement axes that enhance the separation of the West Bank cities and their camps.” It considered that “the displacement plan has nothing to do with the Al-Aqsa Flood operation,” which was the name Hamas launched on its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, considering that it is “part of a strategy based on ethnic cleansing, genocide and theft of the Palestinian territories,” according to what Agence Agence Agency has been transferred.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his “deep concern about the escalation of violence in the West Bank, calling for respect for international law, ending the Israeli occupation, and ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, Gaza is an integral part of it.”

Guterres said in his opening speech to the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, “The conflicts in the world, including the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, are serious sources of concern, as human rights violations are exacerbated, and the number of civilian victims is increasing.”

The “Iron Wall” operation, which the Israeli army started in the occupied West Bank more than a month ago, has killed at least 51 Palestinians, including seven children. At least three Israeli soldiers were killed, according to the United Nations, which denounced “the presence of tens of thousands of refugee camps, who are still displaced” a month after the start of the operation.

During the operation, the Israeli army destroyed dozens of houses to open corridors inside the densely populated camps in Tulkarm and Jenin. Since October 7, 2023, violence has escalated in the occupied West Bank, where at least 900 Palestinians have been killed during Israeli army operations or Israeli settlers’ attacks, according to the figures of the Palestinian Ministry of Health. At least 32 Israelis, including soldiers, were killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations, according to Israeli data.

This escalation in the West Bank mirrors the ongoing tensions in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas and other militant groups have launched numerous attacks against Israel. The situation in the West Bank is increasingly volatile, with both sides accusing each other of human rights violations and war crimes. The international community, including the United Nations, has called for a de-escalation and a return to peace talks, but the situation remains highly contentious.

The recent developments in the West Bank have drawn comparisons to historical conflicts, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the 1967 Six-Day War. These historical parallels highlight the deep-rooted nature of the conflict and the challenges in finding a lasting solution. The current escalation raises concerns about the potential for further displacement and violence, which could have far-reaching implications for the region and the world.

As the situation in the West Bank continues to deteriorate, the international community must take urgent action to prevent further loss of life and displacement. The United Nations and other international organizations have a critical role to play in mediating the conflict and ensuring that human rights are respected. The U.S., as a key ally of Israel, has a particular responsibility to use its influence to promote peace and stability in the region.

In conclusion, the escalating violence in the West Bank is a grave concern that requires immediate attention from the international community. The displacement of thousands of Palestinians and the loss of life highlight the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community must work together to ensure that human rights are respected and that a just and lasting peace is achieved.