Along with the armored vehicles moving into Jenin, what defense authorities have perceived as a “dangerous escalation” began Sunday when Israeli tanks rolled into the occupied territory of the Kosovo area for the first time in decades. This armored advancement was progressing along dirt roads into Jenin, often perceived as a focal point of resistance against Israeli occupation. This is further against a backdrop of rising tensions, but one that signified that Israel has deepened its military crackdown in the region.
The incursion follows statements made by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who indicated last week that troops would remain in parts of the West Bank for up to a year. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes in recent weeks and are now exhausted and told that they cannot go back. For families trapped with their communities shattered, the sight of tanks rumbling their way through the streets of Jenin brought back haunting glimpses of memories from other wars alive with fears of further agonies.
Associated Press journalists witnessed several tanks entering Jenin, underscoring the scale of Israel’s military operation. The offensive, which began on January 21—just two days after a fragile ceasefire took hold in Gaza—has already displaced thousands across the northern West Bank. Israeli officials say the campaign has the aim of dismantling militant cells and excluding additional violence, yet critics say the activities disproportionately target civilians and extend an existing humanitarian crisis further.
Jenin has been a center of Palestinian resistance throughout the years, with the refugee camp standing not just as a beacon of resilience but also a site of confrontation. The camp experienced one of the fiercest Israeli-paletinian clashes during the Second Intifada of 2002 and suffered a great deal of destruction and fatalities at the hands of the Israeli forces. The marks of that conflict can be seen almost two decades later with the scarrings etched in the walls of buildings and the memories of the residents. The residents of the area stand at the gates of the camps with fear of yet another chapter of destruction with the arrival of the tanks in the streets of the area once again.
Palestinian leaders decried the violence and warned that it has the potential to destabilise the region further. “It’s not a security issue; it’s a power issue,” explained Basheer Al-Masri of the municipality of Jenin. “They’re attempting to shatter us—erase us clean of this place. We will not yield,”
Repairs indicate soldiers have started defending city regions after deploying checkpoints as well as fortifications to restrict city crossing points. Residents witness frightening scenes of panic because many people rush to safeguard both their family members and their possessions and their properties. All commercial businesses operate with closed doors and educational institutions remain closed as the streets show minimal activity because they seem deserted.
Tulkarm and Nablus
Israeli troops continue their military operations against nearby communities after Jenin since they now target Tulkarm and Nablus. The same series of military attacks combined with apprehensions and building destructions have induced deep distress in these locations. Rising numbers of displaced people caused by the continuing offensive are expected to create stronger difficulties for Palestinians who continue living under occupation according to humanitarian groups.
This particular surge of violence has caused additional harm to Palestinian people. The recent West Bank actions by Israel create new risks for major violence and diplomatic setbacks as diplomatic hopes for peace in Gaza started to develop after the ceasefire. People see the concurrent military campaigns in Gaza alongside those in the West Bank as components of Israel’s overall plan to tighten control over Palestinian land even though this approach makes sustainable peace agreements improbable.
Night was starting to fall in Jenin and the noise from the tank engines remaining in the air gave it a dismal outlook. Families sat close to each other inside, not knowing what the future would be like. These war machines are agents of uncertainty, fear, and the permanent presence of death for them.
And while the international community is asking for a dialogue and restraint, the Palestinians in the West Bank, and especially the people living in Jenin, themselves, are stuck in the endless loop of violence with no light at the end of the tunnel. Their non-stop resistance is the most extraordinary but now it is much harder than ever before.
