Netanyahu rejects return of displaced Palestinians to northern West Bank refugee camps

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday rejected the return of Palestinians displaced from refugee camps in the northern occupied West Bank, vowing that Israeli forces would remain in control of the area. His remarks came during a visit near the Tulkarm refugee camp alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior military officers, according to a video released by his office. Netanyahu described the camp as a “terrorist stronghold” and claimed that Israeli troops had cleared it under his government’s orders. Referring to a recent Israeli Supreme Court ruling on the return of displaced Palestinians, he said: “These are not residents, these are terrorists.” He insisted that the Israeli army would remain in control, ruling out the presence of any Arab military force west of the Jordan River. On Sunday, Israel’s Supreme Court ordered the government to provide a timetable for measures needed to allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in the Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps and examine ways to accelerate their return. Israeli forces have prevented thousands of Palestinians displaced from the three camps since early 2025 from returning home. Netanyahu also warned of a possible confrontation with Palestinian Authority security forces, suggesting they could turn their weapons against Israel ahead of elections. He claimed the Israeli military had prepared a response to such a scenario, warning against any attempt to challenge its forces. The Israeli news website Ynet reported, however, that the army had no intelligence indicating that Palestinian Authority security forces were planning such an attack. Netanyahu also reiterated his government’s determination to maintain control over territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, claiming it had established more than 104 settlements and numerous farms. In recent weeks, he has increasingly focused on security in his election campaign, portraying himself as best equipped to confront threats, while opposition figures accuse him of exploiting public fears for political gain.