Israeli Military Operations in the Northern West Bank: A New Security Reality

On December 3, 2025, Israeli forces conducted a raid in Qabatiya, south of Jenin, detaining a woman and her 11-year-old daughter while vandalizing their home. This incident is part of a broader military campaign in the northern West Bank, which has intensified since late November 2025. Israeli troops have executed multiple raids, imposed curfews, and converted homes into military outposts, leading to the detention of hundreds of young men. Locals assert that these operations aim to establish a new reality of Israeli dominance and facilitate the resettlement of areas previously evacuated in 2005.

The Israeli army is creating a ‘new security reality’ in the northern West Bank to advance colonization

Israeli military officials claim that the operations are necessary to combat terrorism and prevent the reactivation of armed resistance groups in the region. However, local journalists and residents argue that the military actions are not merely reactive but part of a systematic effort to alter the geography of the northern West Bank for settlement expansion. On December 10, 2025, the Israeli government approved the construction of 764 new settlement units, contributing to a total of 51,370 units approved since the end of 2022. This expansion is seen as a direct consequence of the military operations, which are designed to create a security environment conducive to settler activities.

The Israeli army is creating a ‘new security reality’ in the northern West Bank to advance colonization

The Israeli army has shifted its approach to military operations, adopting a strategy referred to as "mowing the lawn," which involves continuous operations aimed at depleting resistance structures. This strategy is coupled with a qualitative change in military training, now conducted within the West Bank rather than in simulated environments. The military's actions are closely coordinated with settler activities, as evidenced by the issuance of military orders that facilitate the construction of roads and infrastructure for settlements. This pattern of "functional coordination" allows settlers to establish a presence, which the military subsequently legitimizes through legal mechanisms.

The Israeli army is creating a ‘new security reality’ in the northern West Bank to advance colonization

The ongoing military operations have led to widespread reports of theft and vandalism during raids. Residents in various towns, including Arura and Jenin, have reported significant losses, including cash, valuables, and personal belongings. The Israeli military's actions have created an atmosphere of fear and instability, with local authorities documenting theft cases and residents expressing despair over the loss of their homes and livelihoods. The situation has been exacerbated by the Israeli government's plans to construct a new separation wall, dubbed the "Crimson Thread," which aims to isolate Palestinian communities from their agricultural lands.

Critics argue that the Israeli military's actions are not justified by security concerns but rather serve the purpose of land seizure and the expansion of settlements. Human rights activists have condemned the military operations as part of a broader strategy of ethnic cleansing in the northern West Bank. The International Court of Justice has previously declared Israel's occupation illegal, yet the Israeli government continues to pursue policies that undermine Palestinian presence and rights in the region.

The Israeli army is creating a ‘new security reality’ in the northern West Bank to advance colonization

• “They’re asking because they’re afraid of that future,” — Noura Muhammad, Homeowner

The Israeli army is creating a ‘new security reality’ in the northern West Bank to advance colonization

• “The “security pretext,” he explains, remains Israel’s primary way of using military-legal instruments to establish realities on the ground that then pave the way for colonization.” — Amir Daoud, Colonization & Wall Resistance Commission

The Israeli army is creating a ‘new security reality’ in the northern West Bank to advance colonization

• “If the Israeli occupation builds the wall, it means taking us away from our land…” — Khairallah Bani Odeh, Palestinian Farmer

The situation in the northern West Bank reflects a complex interplay of military strategy, settler expansion, and the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights amidst increasing Israeli dominance.

The Israeli army is creating a ‘new security reality’ in the northern West Bank to advance colonization