Mon Feb 24 11:06:56 UTC 2025: **Israeli Tank Deployment in West Bank Displaces Tens of Thousands of Palestinians**
JERUSALEM – A major Israeli military offensive in the West Bank has resulted in the displacement of at least 40,000 Palestinians, marking the largest displacement in the region in over two decades. For the first time since 2005, Israeli tanks have been deployed in the occupied territory, as part of an intensified operation targeting Palestinian fighters in refugee camps near Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas.
The operation, launched shortly after a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, has involved the demolition of dozens of homes and the disruption of essential services, including water supplies. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that the military presence in the now-empty camps will be maintained for at least a year to prevent the return of residents and any resurgence of militant activity.
The United Nations reports that at least 51 Palestinians, including seven children, have been killed in the offensive, along with three Israeli soldiers. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported that Israeli forces or settlers have killed at least 900 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the conflict in October 2023.
The Israeli military’s deployment of tanks and expanded operations have drawn international concern, highlighting the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the West Bank. The long-term implications of the displacement and the continued military presence remain uncertain.
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