Israeli Minister Yisrael Katz reiterated their lack of trust in the Syrian government and their intention to continue the occupation in Syria. Katz also mentioned giving instructions to the Israeli army to maintain the occupation in Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank by the end of the year. According to Channel 14, speaking at an event in Tel Aviv, Katz made statements regarding Israeli attacks on Syria, Gaza, and the West Bank. Katz stated that they will not abandon the Druze community, expressing, “We do not trust the Syrian regime, and we will maintain our presence there indefinitely.” Katz mentioned sending a message to Syria about not having troops in the south of the country and issued a threat of attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz had previously conveyed the message that Israel’s occupation in Syria would be permanent and demanded the establishment of a demilitarized zone in the south of Syria.

Instructions to Stay in Refugee Camps in the West Bank for a Year Meanwhile, the website Israel Hayom reported Katz’s statements regarding the West Bank at the same event. Katz stated that he instructed the Israeli army to continue the occupation in Palestinian refugee camps in the northern West Bank until the end of the year. Emphasizing that since the attacks initiated by Israel on January 21, 40,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced in the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams, Katz stated that the Israeli army will stay in the refugee camps until the end of the year.

Attacks in the West Bank Continue Following the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on January 19, the Israeli army intensified violence and pressure on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Expanding its attacks to the refugee camp in Jenin in the northern West Bank on January 21 and the siege applied there to the provinces of Tubas and Tulkarem, their related towns, and the Palestinian Refugee Camps, the Israeli army entered the West Bank with tanks for the first time since the Second Intifada. According to figures released by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, since the beginning of 2025, 75 Palestinians, including 11 children, have lost their lives due to Israeli violence in the occupied West Bank.