Yisrael Katz Orders Israeli Army To Seize More West Bank Refugee Camps Under Iron Wall

Israeli Security Minister Yisrael Katz directed the army to plan operations to seize control of additional Palestinian refugee camps, as the Israeli military operation in the northern West Bank dubbed the Iron Wall has been underway since January 21, 2025.

“Israel expands its offensive in the refugee camps of Tulkarem and Nur Shams in the West Bank - This extension risks further worsening the humanitarian conditions faced by camp residents, says the governor of Tulkarem, Abdullah Kamil Tarek Chouiref March 31, 2026 • Updated: March 31, 2026 Istanbul AA / Ramallah and Istanbul / Awad Rjoob Israel has extended its military offensive in the refugee camps of Tulkarem and Nur Shams, in the occupied West Bank, on Monday according to Palestinian officials, warning that this decision is part of a broader plan of forced displacement”

Anadolu Ajansı

The operation began in Jenin refugee camp and later expanded to Noor Shams and Tulkarm camps, with the occupying forces imposing a siege and causing about 50,000 Palestinians to be displaced, according to official figures.

Anadolu Ajansı

The Walla news site said Katz issued directives to the army’s Central Command to plan operations to seize additional refugee camps in Samaria, and it described how the Israeli army “took control of Jenin camp, evacuated a large portion of its residents, and established permanent military sites and checkpoints there.”

In parallel, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, that he was “gravely concerned by the rise in violence and other violations committed in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers.”

In the north of the occupied West Bank, an Israeli army statement said it had “eliminated” nine Palestinian fighters in Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarem, including seven in air raids.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported “10 dead and 15 wounded” in these attacks, while an Israeli army spokesman downplayed the operation as not “extremely different [from the ordinary] or special.”

France Palestine Solidarité

During the same period, Israeli tanks entered the Palestinian city of Jenin on Sunday, February 23, 2025, and tv5monde said Israel had emptied three refugee camps of their residents and barred their return.

In Ramallah, Al Araby TV reported that 41 students were injured, including 9 by live ammunition, as Israeli forces stormed the Faculty of Arts at Birzeit University, and Ramallah-based TV correspondent Ameed Shihada said the occupation forces fired live rounds and tear gas and deployed snipers in the corridors.

Israel announced on Sunday that its army had emptied three Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank—Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nour Chams—and that soldiers had orders to prevent their return home, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz saying “Forty thousand Palestinians have already been evacuated from the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nour Chams.”

“What to note tonight Israel, recalled lardons, 780 arrests in Paris, blood donation and fuel aid ROAD CHECKS: 349 violations recorded by the authorities, 13 licenses revoked FUEL: Help for 'the big rollers' will arrive 'within ten days', more than 439,000 requests filed BLOOD DONATION: See the schedule of collections Eleven months of war Israel launched on Wednesday a large‑scale military operation in the north of the occupied West Bank, where the army says it has 'eliminated' nine Palestinian fighters on the sidelines of the war that has been raging in Gaza for nearly eleven months”

Imaz Press

Ouest-France reported that Katz gave instructions to prepare for a prolonged stay in the evacuated camps for the coming year and not to allow the return of their inhabitants nor the resurgence of terrorism, as the operation had killed at least 40 people and displaced 40,000 in the northern West Bank, according to the UN.

Later, the governor of Tulkarem, Abdullah Kamil Tarek Chouiref, said Israel had informed residents its operation in the two camps would continue until May 31, and he warned that the extension reflected a broader plan of forced displacement.

By May 31, 2026, WAFA reported that Tulkarm Governor Abdullah Kamil said the decision to extend the assault on Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps until July 31, 2026, deepened suffering for thousands of families forcibly displaced, citing demolition of homes and commercial facilities and the destruction of infrastructure.