Demolitions in Jenin Signal Israel's New Approach in the West Bank

Israel is determined to crack down on militants, but Palestinians fear escalating destruction

- Marcus Walker

The West Bank is the new battleground in Israel's post-Oct. 7 war. Jenin refugee camp is the front line.

On Sunday, Israeli forces razed 23 buildings in Jenin, cutting a swath through the camp with simultaneous explosions that were heard across much of the northern West Bank. The large-scale demolitions resembled a tactic used in Gaza, where the Israeli military created corridors to divide the enclave.

In Jenin, they appear to signal a more aggressive approach by Israel that could reshape the West Bank physically and politically, Israeli analysts and Palestinians said. If Israel tries to suppress militant groups in the West Bank with the use of large-scale force, many West Bank residents fear, the results could echo those in Gaza: The destruction of dense urban areas, the displacement of many civilians and mounting political anarchy.

"Israel is bringing the war to the West Bank," said Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti, noting that Israeli forces are already expanding their operations to other parts of the territory.

Israel's military said the demolitions on Sunday were aimed at destroying houses associated with "terrorist infrastructure." The government last month expanded its official aims in the Gaza war to include the West Bank, vowing to eradicate militant groups, starting with those in Jenin.

"The Jenin refugee camp will not return to what it was," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said last week as he visited the camp with army commanders. After the current offensive, which began with air strikes and a ground-forces maneuver in the Jenin camp two weeks ago, Israeli forces "will remain in the camp to ensure that terror does not return," he said.