PA accuses 'Israel' of 'ethnic cleansing' in West Bank
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The Palestinian Presidency's office releases a statement condemning the ongoing Israeli raids in the West Bank, describing the brutal killing of Palestinians as "ethnic cleansing."
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Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which alleged it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian Resistance fighters in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, on February 2, 2025. (AP)
The office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday condemned "Israel’s" ongoing raids in the occupied West Bank, labeling them as "ethnic cleansing" and calling on the United States to take action.
In a statement, spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said the presidency "strongly condemns the occupation authorities' escalation of their comprehensive war against the Palestinian people in the West Bank, aimed at displacing citizens and carrying out ethnic cleansing."
Rudeineh told the Palestinian official news agency WAFA in a statement coinciding with a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington, "We demand the intervention of the US administration before it is too late, to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression against our people and our land."
This comes amid the series of raids and attacks carried out by the IOF on multiple cities and camps in the West Bank, which included the storming of the western area of Nablus from the Deir Sharaf checkpoint, the vicinity of al-Ain Camp west of Nablus, and the village of Kafr Malik northeast of Ramallah.
The Israeli military announced on Sunday the killing of over 50 Palestinians both during the raids and aerial strikes beginning a week prior.
Read next: IOF pursue aggression on West Bank; fierce battles in Jenin, Tulkarm
Israeli forces continue wreaking havoc in occupied West Bank
Earlier on Friday, the Israeli occupation military continued its aggression in the occupied West Bank, sending additional military reinforcements to Jenin in the north, while destroying civilian properties and infrastructure in the city.
This comes as Israeli occupation forces have completely emptied the Jenin camp, forcing out its residents, estimated at more than 22,000 people, amid mass detainments in the city and neighboring villages.
The Prisoners Information Office reported that the occupation forces detained released prisoner Rami Abu al-Robb, along with two Palestinian youths, Amin al-Ashab, and Ayman Alawneh, from the town of Qabatia, south of Jenin, as well as a youth from the town of Arraba, southwest of the city, according to Palestinian media outlets.
Read next: Israeli actions in West Banks are 'criminal': Albanese
In the Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank, the occupation forces blew up a house, while in the eastern neighborhood of Tulkarm city, they raided commercial shops and searched them.
Israeli forces also detained Red Crescent crews at the entrance to the Tulkarm refugee camp and fired sonic grenades at press crews while they were conducting interviews with displaced individuals.
In the same context, confrontations erupted between Palestinian Resistance fighters and the occupation forces during their raid on the village of Osarin, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank. The Israeli forces also stormed the village of Madama, south of Nablus, and fired smoke bombs intensively.
Netanyahu to postpone talks on second phase of ceasefire deal
After he visited Washington, Netanyahu is reportedly seeking to gain the support of US President Donald Trump for his plans concerning the Gaza Strip during an upcoming meeting in Washington, scheduled for Tuesday, Axios reported on Sunday.
The meeting could have significant consequences for the ceasefire in Gaza, with Netanyahu eager to understand Trump’s stance on the second phase of the ceasefire deal. This phase may involve a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Before proceeding with any decisions, Netanyahu intends to gauge Trump’s position on the deal. The start of negotiations with Hamas, initially scheduled for Monday, may be postponed, as Netanyahu has chosen to first consult with Trump, according to unnamed Israeli officials.
If Netanyahu opts not to pursue the second phase, the conflict in Gaza could continue for "up to another year" as the Israeli occupation "seeks to completely dismantle Hamas," officials said.
