Israel throws the residents of three refugee camps from the west coast

Israel has expelled the inhabitants of three refugee camps on the occupied West Bank, as it increases a large monthly operation in the Palestinian territory.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the camps in Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams are already “empty” and will be occupied by the Israeli military for next year.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said they had settled a tank division around the town of Jenin – the first time it made it since 2002. The Palestinian power condemned the move.

The UN said earlier this month that the Israeli operation, which began on January 21 and intensified in recent days, led to the “forced displacement” of 40,000 people.

“So far, 40,000 Palestinians have evacuated from the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams, who are now empty by the residents,” said Israel Katz in a statement.

“I have instructed (troops) to prepare for prolonged presence in the cleared camps for next year and to prevent the return of residents and the revival of terrorism.”

He also said that Israel has instructed the Palestinian UN Refugee Agency to stop working in the area.

The pounded Abu Rudineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, described the decision to deploy tanks such as “dangerous Israeli escalation that will not lead to stability or tranquility.”

IDF said in a statement that his forces “continue the operation to thwart terrorism” and expand their “offensive activity” – which so far includes drones, tanks, special forces, border police and operations from the Shin Bet Bet bet intelligence agency.

The UN said on Thursday that after Israeli operations began on January 21, 51 Palestinians, including seven children, were killed in the governors of Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, as well as three Israeli soldiers.

The offensive has caused serious damage to water and sanitary infrastructure, violating access to water to tens of thousands, the statement said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Tulkarm refugee camp on Friday and ordered the army to strengthen the “operational activity”, his office said.

“We enter terrorist fortresses, leveling entire streets that terrorists use and their homes. We eliminate terrorists, commanders,” Netanyahu said.

His visit followed the explosion of three buses in Tel Aviv, which Israeli officials described as a “suspected terrorist attack” caused by bombs of the species found on the west coast.

Israel occupied the West Coast in the Six Day War in 1967 and has since built about 160 settlements that live about 700,000 Jews. Permissions are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.