While global attention remains on Gaza, the conflict in the West Bank is rapidly escalating, with Israeli forces carrying out one of their largest military operations in years.
Since launching the offensive on January 21, Israeli troops and tanks have pushed into Palestinian towns, marking the first such deployment in two decades.
The operation has already forced thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes, with Israeli officials stating that those who left will not be allowed to return. Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the military to prepare for a prolonged stay in several urban areas, signaling that Israeli forces may remain in parts of the West Bank for a year or more.
The offensive has intensified since Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, with Israeli forces conducting frequent raids across the West Bank. According to the United Nations, at least 800 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since then, making it the deadliest period there in years. Israel claims most of the casualties are militants, but among the dead are civilians, including teenagers and a pregnant woman.
Over the weekend, Israeli tanks entered Jenin, a city long associated with Palestinian resistance. This is the first time heavy armor has been deployed in the West Bank since the Second Intifada in 2002, when Israel fought a major Palestinian uprising.
The situation in the West Bank is unfolding alongside fragile ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar. While talks have prevented further escalation in Gaza for now, tensions remain high. Israel has already suspended the planned release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, citing concerns over how hostage handovers were conducted.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law, continue to expand, fueling further tensions. Palestinian groups warn that the ongoing military operation could derail any prospects of a lasting peace deal.
With violence spreading and thousands displaced, fears are growing that the conflict could widen even further, pushing the region into deeper instability.