Israeli tanks have moved into the Occupied West Financial institution shortly after the defence minister declared an escalation of its operation – ordering troops to stay there “for the coming year”.
In a press release on Sunday, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz mentioned he has instructed the army to “prepare for an extended stay in the camps that were cleared for the coming year and not to allow the return of residents or for terror to grow again”.
Related Press journalists noticed a handful of Israeli tanks transfer into Jenin shortly after.
Israel launched a recent offensive within the occupied territory on 21 January, calling it Operation Iron Wall.
Since then, greater than 40,000 Palestinians residing there have been displaced. Buildings and refugee camps have additionally been demolished and folks have been killed.
Additionally on Sunday, Mr Katz confirmed the deployment of tanks to the West Financial institution stronghold metropolis of Jenin, with wider operations increasing to “additional villages in the Jenin area”.
It’s the first time tanks have entered the Occupied West Financial institution for the reason that Second Intifada in 2002.
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Tanks in Jenin, West Financial institution, on Sunday. Pic: Reuters
Usually, it’s house to round three million Palestinians – most of whom are descended from these pressured to flee their houses throughout varied wars with Israel.
Beneath interim peace agreements from the Nineties, Israel maintains management of huge components of the West Financial institution, which it initially captured in 1967, whereas the Palestinian Authority (PA) presides over different areas.
Israel typically sends troops into designated Palestinian zones – however often withdraws them as soon as they declare to have accomplished their missions there – principally rooting out Hamas militants.
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Explosions destroy buildings and camps within the West Financial institution. Pic: AP
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An Israeli army car in Jenin. Pic: Reuters
At present, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is underneath strain from far-right companions in his authorities to crack down on terrorist exercise within the West Financial institution.
Clashes between Jewish settlers and Palestinians there have repeatedly proved lethal.
Hamas condemns prisoner launch delay
Elsewhere on Sunday, Israel awoke to the choice to delay the deliberate launch of 620 Palestinian prisoners – in change for the six Israeli hostages freed on Saturday.
In a late assertion, Mr Netanyahu cited “repeated and ongoing violations” by Hamas, who he blamed for “humiliating and disgraceful” hostage handover ceremonies and the “use of our abductees for propaganda purposes”.
Hamas responded by “strongly condemning” the delay, accusing Israel of placing ceasefire negotiations in “grave danger” and utilizing “flimsy excuses” to negate their obligations.
5 of the six hostages free of Gaza on Saturday had been handed over – as has develop into conference – by masked Hamas militants on a stage in entrance of crowds.
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Three of the Israeli hostages on stage in Gaza as they had been handed over by Hamas on Saturday. Pic: Reuters
The follow, which Hamas denies is degrading, has been extensively criticised by the United Nations and others.
Mr Netanyahu’s reference to propaganda got here after two hostages – Evyatar David and Man Gilboa-Dalal – each kidnapped from the Nova music competition on 7 October 2023 – appeared in a Hamas video seemingly close to the handover website on Saturday.
The clip, filmed underneath duress, noticed them plea with the Israeli authorities to cooperate and allow them to go, earlier than they had been seemingly returned to captivity.
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Funeral held for former Hezbollah leaders
In Beirut on Sunday morning, tens of hundreds of individuals gathered on the Chamoun Sports activities Metropolis Stadium – the most important in Lebanon – for the funerals of Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, who had been each killed in Israeli airstrikes final yr.
Because the commemorations befell, Israeli jets circled overhead.
