Israeli tanks moved into the occupied West Bank on Sunday for the first time in decades in what Palestinian authorities called a “dangerous escalation,” after the defense minister said troops will remain in parts of the territory for a year and tens of thousands of Palestinians who have fled cannot return.

Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said that 40,000 Palestinian residents displaced from militant hotbeds would not be allowed to return to their homes.

Israeli tanks moved into the occupied West Bank for the first time since 2002 on Sunday, shortly after Israel's defence minister said troops will remain 'for the coming year' in parts of the Palestinian territory.

Israel sent tanks into the West Bank city of Jenin on Sunday in the first offensive of its kind in the area in more than two decades. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said troops would remain

Israeli tanks moved into the occupied West Bank on Sunday for the first time in decades in what Palestinian authorities called a “dangerous escalation,” after the defense minister said

Israel has deployed tanks to the West Bank for the first time in over two decades, aiming to combat Palestinian militants. The move occurs amid a fragile Gaza ceasefire and escalating tensions. Displacements and military operations in refugee camps further exacerbate regional instability.

By Raneen Sawafta and James Mackenzie JENIN, West Bank/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel sent tanks into the occupied West Bank for the first time in more than 20 years on Sunday as it ordered the military to prepare for an "extended stay" to fight Palestinian militant groups in the area's refugee camps.