Dangerous Escalation in Palestine, Gaza Critical, Israeli Tanks Invade West Bank

CAIRO, MONDAY — The Palestinian territorial occupation areas, both in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, on Monday (24/2/2025), were simultaneously engulfed in dangerous escalation. In the Gaza Strip, the future of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire is at a critical juncture after Israel violated the ceasefire agreement and prepared for renewed warfare. Additionally, for the first time in two decades, Israel deployed its tanks to the West Bank.

The future of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire is critical following Israel's decision to delay the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners, who were supposed to be freed after Hamas released 6 Israeli hostages on Saturday (22/2/2025). Hamas has firmly stated its refusal to continue negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire until Israel fulfills the prisoner exchange agreement.

The first phase of the ceasefire will end in March 2025. However, there is no clarity regarding the second phase of the ceasefire negotiations.

Israel has postponed the release of 620 Palestinian prisoners despite Hamas having released six Israeli hostages on Saturday (22/2/2025). Israel wants Hamas to cease holding release ceremonies resembling "parades" that showcase the hostages on stage. This practice has been criticized by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Hamas has denied criticism of the way the hostages were released, saying it was a demonstration of the solidarity of the Palestinian struggle.

On Sunday (23/2/2025), Hamas issued a strong condemnation of Israel's decision to delay the release of Palestinian prisoners. Ezzat El Rashq, a member of Hamas' Political Bureau, stated in a written statement that "the decision by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu demonstrates a deliberate attempt to undermine the agreement, clear evidence of violations of the agreement's terms, and shows that the occupying power cannot be trusted to fulfill its obligations."

In a ceremony for combat officers on Sunday (23/2/2025), as quoted by Arab News, Netanyahu said, "We are ready to resume fierce fighting at any time. Our operational plans are ready."

Netanyahu claims that Israel has destroyed the majority of Hamas's forces in Gaza. However, to leave no doubt, Israel wants to achieve its full objectives either through "negotiations or other means."

Next, the Israeli military announced an expansion of military operations in the West Bank, another Palestinian territory. On Sunday (23/2/2025), Tel Aviv deployed a tank division to the West Bank city of Jenin. This is the first deployment of Israeli tanks to the West Bank in 20 years.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said the delay would jeopardize “the entire agreement.” Hamas called on ceasefire mediators, especially the United States, to pressure Israel to honor the agreement.

“Any talks with the enemy through mediators regarding the next steps are contingent on the release of the 620 Palestinian prisoners agreed upon in exchange for the four bodies and six Israeli prisoners released on Saturday. The mediators must ensure that the enemy abides by the terms of the agreement, as stated in the agreed text,” Naim said.

Since the ceasefire on January 19, 2025, both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. So far, the ceasefire has been maintained, although fragile.

Both Hamas and Israel have said they will begin a second phase of talks, which mediators say aims to reach an agreement on the return of all remaining hostages and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The mediators involved are the US, Qatar and Egypt.US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said he would go to the Middle East this week to seek an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire.

“We hope to have the right timing to start the second phase, and complete it and release more hostages,” Witkoff told CNN.

Asked about Netanyahu’s desire to extend the ceasefire or continue fighting, Witkoff said he believed in the former. “I believe the prime minister has good motivations. He wants to see the hostages released, that’s for sure,” he said.

Witkoff continued, Netanyahu also wants to protect Israel so he has a red line. That red line is that Israel does not want Hamas involved in the future government of Gaza.

So far, the US has supported Israel’s decision to delay the release of Palestinian prisoners. The White House called it the “right” move.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said that given Hamas' treatment of the hostages, Israel's decision to delay the release of prisoners was an appropriate response. "The president stands ready to support Israel in whatever action it chooses regarding Hamas," Hughes said.

In the West Bank and Gaza, families of Palestinian prisoners waited in uncertainty until Saturday night. In Israel, there was also anger because Hamas also admitted to sending the body of hostage Shiri Bibas by mistake, swapping it with another body. On Friday (21/2/2025), Bibas' body was sent by Hamas and confirmed by Israel.

The Palestinian Prisoners Society, a local group supporting Palestinian prisoners, said Israel was practicing “state terrorism against prisoners and their families.” Ghasan Washahi, a relative of one of the prisoners, said his family was disappointed by the delay.

“My mother even started to lose hope that Islam would be freed in the deal. And when her name finally came up, Israel stopped the deal,” Washahi said, referring to her brother.

Egypt and Qatar have urged Israel to release the prisoners, and Egypt has refused to discuss Israel's demands before then, said an Egyptian official involved in the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity.

On Sunday (23/2/2025), Associated Press reporters saw several tanks moving along an unpaved road toward Jenin, West Bank. Jenin has long been a stronghold of armed Palestinian resistance against Israel. Tanks were last deployed in the West Bank in 2002.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the army had “emptied” three refugee camps in the northern West Bank and ordered troops to remain in the areas for a year to prevent Palestinians from returning.

Katz stressed that tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians should not return to their homes in the West Bank. "So far, 40,000 Palestinians have been evacuated from the Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps, which are now empty of residents," Katz said.

The camps are safe havens for Palestinians who fled decades of war with Israel. It is unclear how long the Palestinians will be prevented from returning.

Michael Horowitz, head of intelligence for the Le Beck consultancy, said the tank deployment in the West Bank comes at a particularly sensitive time for the ceasefire in Gaza. He said Netanyahu, under pressure at home, could face a choice between going back to war or his right-wing coalition government potentially collapsing.

“There is no real military logic to using tanks in the West Bank at this stage. Unless the goal is to send a message, and perhaps to stay permanently in an area that is under Israeli attack,” Horowitz added.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned the decision to deploy tanks in the northern West Bank. “This is a dangerous escalation by Israel and it will not bring stability or calm, and we warn against this dangerous escalation,” he said.

Israel continues to increase its activities in the West Bank. Previously, Tel Aviv launched an attack in the northern West Bank on January 21, 2025, two days after the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect.

Palestinians see the offensive as an attempt by Israel to tighten its grip on the territory, where 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military rule. (AP/AFP/Reuters)