IDF expands Operation Iron Wall in Samaria - Israeli tanks operate in Jenin area for first time in 20 years

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

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

Additionally, the military announced that the Nahal Brigade and the Duvdevan Unit have already begun operating in the Jenin area, joined by a tank platoon. 

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

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

“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 after 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 which 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.”