West Bank offensive by Israel threatens Gaza deal

Israeli tanks have entered a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank for the first time in two decades, as the defence minister in Tel Aviv said its troops will stay in parts of the territory for a year or longer.

- BEL TREW

Thousands of Palestinians who have already fled this newest battleground are told they will be prevented from returning home. Mediators in the US, Qatar and Egypt continue to hope the long-fought-for truce in Gaza will herald long-term peace across the region, even if the deal has been dragged to the brink of collapse by both sides since it came into force last month.

There are now concerns it may falter again after Israel suspended Sunday’s release of 620 Palestinians, citing the “humiliating" handovers of hostages in staged ceremonies, which were criticised by the US and the Red Cross as cruel.

But whether the Gaza deal holds or not, a different war and “land grab” is in full swing in the West Bank, according to Israeli and Palestinian rights groups. If it continues and escalates, it will further undermine any hopes of the Gaza truce being a catalyst for regional peace.

Overshadowed by Gaza, the latest West Bank offensive – which Israel launched on 21 January, two days after the current ceasefire in Gaza took hold – threatens to open a new, bloody chapter.

Israel has occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank of the Jordan River, which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state, since the 1967 six-day war.