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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the return of Palestinians displaced from refugee camps in the northern occupied West Bank, saying Israeli forces would remain in control of the area.
He made the remarks on Tuesday during a visit near the Tulkarm refugee camp, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior military officers, in a video released by Netanyahu’s office.
Netanyahu described the camp as a “terrorist stronghold” and said Israeli troops had cleared it on his government’s orders. Referring to a recent ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court, he said: “These are not residents, these are terrorists.”
He also ruled out the presence of any Arab military force west of the Jordan River.
On Sunday, the Supreme Court ordered the government to provide a timetable for measures to enable displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in the Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps, and to examine ways to speed up their return. Israeli forces have prevented thousands of people displaced from the three camps since early 2025 from going home.
Netanyahu warned of a possible confrontation with Palestinian Authority security forces, suggesting they could turn their weapons against Israel ahead of elections. He said the Israeli military had prepared a response to such a scenario and warned against attempts to challenge its forces.
However, the Israeli news website Ynet reported that the army had no intelligence indicating that Palestinian Authority security forces were planning an attack.
Netanyahu reiterated his government’s determination to maintain control over territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. He claimed it had established more than 104 settlements and numerous farms.
In recent weeks, Netanyahu has focused increasingly on security in his election campaign, presenting himself as best equipped to confront threats. Opposition figures have accused him of exploiting public fears for political gain.
