IDF expands Operation Iron Wall in Samaria: Israeli tanks operate in Jenin for first time in 20 years; several refugee camps evacuated

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday morning announced a significant expansion of ongoing counter-terror operations in Samaria following the attempted bus bombings on Friday that were connected to terror groups in that area. 

“Security forces expand the operation in northern Samaria: Forces from the Nahal Brigade, Duvdevan Unit, and a tank platoon will operate in additional villages in the Menashe region,” the IDF stated. “IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police forces continue the operation to thwart terrorism in northern Samaria and are expanding offensive activity in the area.” 

Earlier on Sunday morning, Palestinian sources first reported Israeli tanks entering the Jenin area. This marked the first time that tanks have been used in fighting there since Operation Defensive Shield in 2002.

Later on Sunday morning, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz released a statement saying that the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur a-Shams had been fully evacuated ahead of security operations. 

“40,000 Palestinians have so far evacuated from the Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur a-Shams refugee camps, and they are now empty of residents,” Katz announced, adding that “UNRWA activities in the camps have also been suspended.” 

“I have instructed the IDF to prepare for an extended stay in the camps that have been cleared for the coming year, and not to allow residents to return and terrorism to grow again,” he stated. 

Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Katz visited the Tulkarm refugee camp on Friday following the attempted bus bombings. 

“The serious terrorist attacks in Bat Yam will not deter us, we are at war with radical Islamic terrorism and we will win, here and in Gaza and everywhere," Katz said on Friday. "I have instructed the IDF to intensify its activities in Judea and Samaria until terrorism is defeated. I warn the terrorists who were released to Judea and Samaria – we are keeping an eye on you and will hunt down and eliminate anyone who is involved in terrorism.” 

According to security officials, the bombs that exploded on the buses on Thursday night “were intended to explode in the morning and kill hundreds of civilians.” The security establishment believes the attack originated from terror cells in Samaria. 

Katz instructed the IDF to prepare for an extended stay in the camps that were cleared. 

“We must not allow residents to return and terrorism to grow again,” Katz said. “We will not return to the reality that existed in the past. We will continue to clear refugee camps and other terrorist hotbeds in order to dismantle the battalions and terrorist infrastructures of extremist Islam that were built, armed, financed, and trained by the Iranian axis of evil - in an attempt to establish an eastern terror front against the settlements of Samaria and the seam line and the large population centers in Israel.”