[News] Tanks deployed as 'Israel' orders extended stay in West Bank

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/tanks-deployed-as--israel--orders-extended-stay-in-west-bank>
Tanks deployed as 'Israel' orders extended stay in West Bank
Al Mayadeen English
February 23, 2025
------------------------------

Security Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that Israeli forces would
expand their assault on the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams
in the northern West Bank.

   - [image: Image shows Israeli tanks being deployed in the occupied West
   Bank. (@RT_com)]
   <https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2025/2/23/2e9baca1-22e6-41bd-bee4-273e6cf9fba3.jpeg?width=1000>
   Image shows Israeli tanks being deployed in the occupied West Bank. (X/
   @RT_com)

"Israel" has ordered its military to extend its occupation in parts of the
West Bank, intensifying its crackdown on Palestinian communities under the
pretext of targeting Resistance groups.

The decision follows explosions on buses near Tel Aviv last Thursday, which
"Israeli" authorities labeled as an attempted attack, despite no casualties
being reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the military to
escalate operations in the West Bank, leading to a large-scale offensive
that has forcibly displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/-israel--displaced-40-000-palestinians-from-west-bank--unrwa>
from their homes in refugee camps. Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed
as homes and vital infrastructure are demolished, deepening the
humanitarian crisis.

Security Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that Israeli forces would
expand their assault on the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams
in the northern West Bank, aiming to dismantle Resistance groups. He
confirmed that 40,000 Palestinians have already been driven out from these
camps.
Tanks roll into Jenin

For the first time in over 20 years, "Israel" is deploying tanks to Jenin,
escalating its military presence and occupation in the northern West Bank.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,
condemned the action, warning, "This is a dangerous Israeli escalation that
will not lead to stability or calm, and we warn of this dangerous
escalation."

In addition to the military offensive, Katz announced that the UN Agency
for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, has been ordered to halt its humanitarian
activities in the refugee camps, effectively cutting off crucial aid to
displaced Palestinians.

*Read more: UNRWA chief sounds alarm on rising Israeli violence in the West
Bank
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/unrwa-chief-sounds-alarm-on-rising-israeli-violence-in-the-w>*
Ceasefire in Jeopardy

This latest escalation occurs amid a fragile ceasefire between Hamas and
"Israel" in Gaza, which has largely held since January 19 despite
systematic breaches on the part of "Israel."

Earlier today, Hamas issued a statement
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas-condemns-israeli-delay-of-palestinian-prisoners-releas>
expressing strong condemnation of "Israel's" decision to delay the release
of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, who were due to be freed on Saturday
in exchange for six Israeli hostages.

Hamas also dismissed the Israeli claim that the "release ceremonies are
humiliating" as a false pretext aimed at evading its obligations under the
agreement. The movement noted that the ceremonies were conducted with
dignity and respect for the released prisoners, contrary to the allegations.

"The real humiliation lies in the mistreatment our prisoners endure during
their release," Hamas stated, recalling reports of physical abuse,
deliberate humiliation, and harsh conditions imposed on detainees until
their final moments in Israeli custody.

*Read more: Israeli captive kisses head of Hamas fighter during prisoner
swap
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-captive-kisses-head-of-hamas-fighter-during-prisoner>*

According to the movement, Palestinian prisoners are often released while
handcuffed and blindfolded, and their families are threatened against
holding public celebrations to welcome them home.

Hamas also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of
deliberately obstructing the agreement, calling the delay a clear violation
of its terms and further proof of the Israeli occupation's unreliability in
fulfilling commitments.

The group urged international mediators and the global community to take
responsibility and pressure "Israel" to implement the agreement without
further delays.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://freedomarchives.org/pipermail/news_freedomarchives.org/attachments/20250223/905e121c/attachment-0001.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 2e9baca1-22e6-41bd-bee4-273e6cf9fba3.webp
Type: image/webp
Size: 56044 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://freedomarchives.org/pipermail/news_freedomarchives.org/attachments/20250223/905e121c/attachment-0001.webp>