TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that the Israeli military is preparing to remain in occupied West Bank urban refugee camps “for the coming year.” His statement emphasizes an extended military presence in these areas, specifically instructing the military not to allow the return of displaced residents.

Katz's comments come amidst an intensifying Israeli offensive in Palestinian territories, particularly as the ceasefire that paused hostilities in Gaza remains in effect. He reported that approximately 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced from three refugee camps located in the northern West Bank, which he described as now “emptied of residents.”

The Israeli military has stated that they are expanding operations in the West Bank to additional areas, including dispatching tanks to Jenin, a known militant stronghold. This escalation follows Israel’s launch of an offensive in northern West Bank, which began on January 21, just two days after a truce took effect in the Gaza conflict. Israel maintains that the operation aims to mitigate militancy; however, it has resulted in significant civilian casualties and has displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians.

In recent weeks, violence in the West Bank has markedly increased, coinciding with the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. There has also been a notable rise in Palestinian attacks originating from the West Bank. In a separate yet related incident on Thursday, blasts reportedly shook three empty parked buses in Israel which police suspect were linked to militant activities.

These developments reflect the broader tensions in the region, where the Israeli response to perceived threats has led to heightened military engagement and operational strategies that continue to affect the local Palestinian population significantly. The situation remains fluid and complex, with ongoing implications not only for those directly involved but also for the wider dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.