Netanyahu warns Palestinian forces and opposes return of displaced residents to West Bank camps

On October 13, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued strict warnings to Palestinian security forces while visiting the border area near Tulkarem, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz. Netanyahu stated that Israel is prepared to respond with unprecedented force if Palestinian police turn their weapons against Israeli troops, characterizing such a move as a "turning of the guns" scenario. He emphasized that Israel remains vigilant ahead of upcoming national elections.

Simultaneously, Netanyahu rejected a recent Israeli Supreme Court ruling from Sunday, which ordered the military to facilitate the return of residents to the refugee camps of Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarem. These populations were displaced during extensive Israeli military operations that began in January 2025 to dismantle armed infrastructure. Netanyahu dismissed the displaced individuals as "terrorists" rather than residents and declared that they would not be allowed to return to what he described as a "terrorist stronghold." This stance directly challenges the judiciary's directive, highlighting a deepening tension between the government and the legal system regarding the status of the northern West Bank camps.