Israeli forces have razed over a dozen residential buildings in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian official informed CNN.
This latest action is part of an extensive military operation that has forced tens of thousands of Palestinians from their homes.
Escalation of Military Activities
Following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, Israel has intensified operations targeting suspected militants in the West Bank, employing airstrikes—once an uncommon tactic in the region.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched Operation Iron Wall last month, focusing on northern West Bank areas.
Israel’s defense minister previously stated that the operation is applying lessons learned from repeated offensives in Gaza. The United Nations estimates that Israel’s war in Gaza has left about 90% of housing units destroyed.
Mass Displacement and Building Demolitions
The UN reports that at least 40,000 Palestinians have been uprooted from their homes in the northern West Bank due to the ongoing operation.
Abdullah Kamil, the governor of Tulkarem, said the demolitions on Tuesday targeted multi-story buildings that had housed numerous families.
Security or Political Move?
Kamil accused Israeli authorities of carrying out these actions under the guise of security and counterterrorism, but he argued that the true motive was political.
“The Israeli military are doing this under the pretext of security and fighting terrorism,” he told CNN.
He claimed it was a “purely political” manoeuvre aimed at appeasing hardliners in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has previously pushed for the annexation of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
In November, he instructed officials to begin preparations, stating that a victory for former US President Donald Trump in upcoming elections would present “an important opportunity for the state of Israel.”
Palestinians seek to establish an independent state incorporating the West Bank, Gaza and occupied East Jerusalem. However, Jewish settlements in the region are considered illegal under international law.
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