Israel plans year-long military presence in West Bank amid ongoing offensive

Israel's defense minister announced that troops will remain in parts of the West Bank for the next year as part of an ongoing offensive. This follows a series of military operations that began on January 21, aimed at reducing violence. The military has expanded its operations, including sending tanks to Jenin, marking the first such deployment since 2002. The offensive has resulted in significant displacement, with around 40,000 Palestinians fleeing their homes. Israel is also delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners until it receives guarantees regarding hostage handovers from Hamas. The situation remains tense as the ceasefire in Gaza holds but is fragile.