For the first time since the Oslo peace accords in the mid-1990s, Israel is constructing a military base in a section of the West Bank that was assigned to the Palestinian Authority under the accords. This development has generated varying opinions.
The Israeli military states that the establishment of this base is essential to prevent Jenin, a city historically associated with Palestinian militant activities, from becoming a stronghold again. However, critics argue that this move could facilitate further expansion of Israeli settlements in adjacent areas near dense Palestinian population centers.
Kamal Abu al-Rub, the Palestinian Authority governor of Jenin, commented on the issue, saying, “They’re blowing up the Oslo accords. They’re acting as if there are no agreements between us.” This sentiment reflects the concerns over potential violations of past agreements.
The military base is being built on a section of confiscated land near the densely populated Jenin camp. The Israeli military entered this area in January 2025, resulting in the displacement of over 10,000 Palestinians, marking the most significant displacement since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
This operation followed the Palestinian Authority’s attempts to control militant groups in Jenin, some linked to organizations like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. These groups not only posed a threat to Israelis but also challenged the Palestinian Authority’s authority.