Israel’s Haaretz newspaper wrote that the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank in recent weeks is seen as compensation for the disappointment experienced by Israel’s far-right due to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza Strip. The newspaper’s editorial today stated, “The rapid escalation in the West Bank in recent weeks is a kind of compensation for the sorrow and disappointment felt by the far-right in Israel from the prisoner deal. This agreement has pushed people into despair and made them fear the future.” The editorial used the words, “As usual, Israel has once again proven that it understands only power and thinks short-term rather than solving the root problem of the conflict.”

Referring to Israel’s deployment of tanks in operations in the West Bank, the article pointed out, “What will more violence, collective punishment, mistreatment of civilians, and military action, bloodshed, and global condemnation of Israel lead to if there is no political solution?” The article highlighted Israel’s Defense Minister Yisrael Katz’s plan to forcibly displace Palestinians from refugee camps in the West Bank, pointing out that while the Israeli government plans to forcibly displace the people of the Gaza Strip, it has begun to implement this plan in the West Bank.

ISRAEL’S ATTACKS ON THE NORTH OF THE WEST BANK
Following the ceasefire in Gaza which took effect on Sunday, January 19, the Israeli army launched an assault in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, which it named “Iron Wall,” on Tuesday, January 21. Expanding its intense attacks in Jenin to Tulkarem on January 27, El-Faria Refugee Camp in Tubas on February 2, and Tamun on February 7, the Israeli army withdrew its forces from Tamun after a 7-day siege on February 8. Israeli soldiers expanded their attacks on February 9 to include Nur Shams Refugee Camp to the east of Tulkarem. At least 56 Palestinians lost their lives, thousands were injured, and structures and infrastructure in the region were extensively destroyed in the attacks by the Israeli army since January 21. Since October 7, 2023, in attacks by the Israelis who have been occupying the West Bank and East Jerusalem, over 920 Palestinians, including 167 children, lost their lives, and nearly 7,000 people were injured.