Israel Katz: IDF to remain in "cleared" refugee camps for this coming year

Defense Minister Israel Katz released a statement today (Sunday) saying that the residents of refugee camps forced out as part of anti-terrorism operations will not be allowed to return this coming year, and that the IDF will be establishing a long term presence there, instead.

Below is his full statement:

"The IDF is expanding its activities in northern Samaria and is now also operating in the town of Qabatiya as part of Operation 'Iron Wall' to thwart terrorism in the West Bank, reinforcing its forces with an armored unit and additional forces.

"40,000 Palestinians have so far evacuated from the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur al-Shams refugee camps, which are now empty of residents. UNRWA activities in the camps have also been suspended.

"The IDF, in offensive operations, is clearing terrorist nests of militants and destroying infrastructure, terrorist facilities, and weaponry on a large scale, as part of the operations that the Prime Minister and I ordered. We are at war against Islamic terrorism.

"I have instructed the IDF to prepare for prolonged presence in the cleared camps for the coming year, and not to allow residents and terrorism to return and regrow. We will not return to the reality that existed in the past. We will continue to clear refugee camps and additional terrorist centers to dismantle the battalions and terrorist infrastructure of extreme Islam that were built, armed, funded, and trained by the Iranian axis of evil - in an attempt to establish an eastern terror front against the settlements of Samaria, the seam zone, and major population centers in Israel. We will continue operations until terrorism is defeated."

Operation Iron Wall began a month ago with the aim of destroying and dismantling terrorist networks and organizations in Judea and Samaria, starting with the Jenin area. Defense Minister Israel Katz previously stated that the operation is meant to begin in Jenin and then be used as a "model" for the rest of Judea and Samaria.