Israeli Minister Yisrael Katz reiterated their lack of trust in the Syrian government and their intention to continue the occupation in Syria. Katz also mentioned giving instructions to the Israeli military to maintain the occupation in Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank until the end of the year. Speaking at an event in Tel Aviv, Katz commented on Israeli attacks in Syria, Gaza, and the West Bank. Katz claimed that they would not abandon the Druze community and expressed, “We do not trust the Syrian regime, and we will maintain our presence there indefinitely.” Katz also mentioned sending a message to Syria not to have troops in the south of the country and issued a threat of attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz had previously stated that Israel’s occupation in Syria would be permanent and demanded that Syria create a demilitarized zone in the south. Additionally, the website Israel Hayom reported Katz’s statements regarding the West Bank at the same event. Katz stated that he had instructed the Israeli military to continue the occupation in Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank until the end of the year. Pointing to the 40,000 Palestinians forcibly displaced in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams refugee camps following the attacks that began on January 21st, Katz reiterated that the Israeli military would remain in the camps until the end of the year. Meanwhile, the Israeli army intensified violence and pressure against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank following a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on January 19th. The Israeli army, which expanded its attacks from the town of Jenin in the northern West Bank to Tubas and Tulkarem provinces, their dependent towns, and Palestinian Refugee Camps, entered the West Bank with tanks for the first time since the Second Intifada. According to data released by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, a total of 75 Palestinians, including 11 children, have lost their lives in Israeli violence in the occupied West Bank since the beginning of 2025.