JENIN, West Bank — In a significant development, Israeli tanks entered the occupied West Bank on Sunday, marking the first occurrence of such an event in decades. Palestinian authorities have labeled this as a “dangerous escalation,” especially after the Israeli defense minister announced that troops would remain in certain areas for a year, preventing the return of tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians.

Eyewitnesses from the Associated Press observed multiple tanks maneuvering along rugged paths into Jenin, a city renowned for its history of armed resistance against Israel.

The Israeli government is intensifying its operations in the Palestinian territories, asserting a commitment to eradicate militancy in response to a surge in attacks. This latest offensive in the northern West Bank began on January 21, just two days after the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza was established, and has since expanded to surrounding regions.

Many Palestinians perceive these aggressive military actions as part of a broader strategy to reinforce Israeli dominance over a territory where approximately 3 million Palestinians live under military governance.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has instructed the military to amplify efforts aimed at combating terrorism within all West Bank refugee camps. “We will not permit the return of residents, nor will we allow terrorism to regain ground,” he stated.

Katz further indicated that the military is preparing for an “extended presence” in various urban refugee camps in the West Bank, areas that have seen the exodus of around 40,000 individuals, leaving these camps largely abandoned.

These camps predominantly house descendants of Palestinians displaced during historical conflicts with Israel. The duration of the restriction on Palestinian returns remains uncertain; however, Katz has confirmed that Israeli forces will be stationed there “throughout the coming year,” while Netanyahu has declared they will remain “as long as necessary.”

The last significant tank presence in the West Bank occurred in 2002 during a violent Palestinian uprising.

The Palestinian foreign ministry criticized the Israeli measures as “a dangerous escalation” and called on the international community to take action against what it describes as Israel’s unlawful “aggression.”

“Even if they stay, we will eventually return to the camp,” asserted Mohamed al-Sadi, a displaced Jenin resident. “This camp belongs to us. We have nowhere else to go.”