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Islamic Jihad says Israeli tanks part of 'plans to annex West Bank by force'

Palestinian militants said on Monday that an unusual deployment of Israeli tanks in the occupied West Bank, part of a major offensive that has displaced tens of thousands, may be a step toward annexation.

The torn-up streets surrounding the Jenin refugee camp in the territory's north were empty on Monday, an AFP journalist reported, as three Israeli Merkava tanks stationed at higher vantage points overlooked the area.

Displaced camp residents occasionally entered through a back alley to retrieve belongings from their homes.

Some displaced residents have entered Jenin refugee camp through a back alley, potentially risking their lives to retrieve belongings

Islamic Jihad accuses Israel of wanting to 'annex West Bank by force' after tanks deployed

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad on Monday accused Israel of wanting to "annex the West Bank by force" after Israel deployed tanks into the occupied territory for the first time in decades.

Israel said on Sunday its troops would remain for many months in refugee camps in the northern West Bank, after tens of thousands of Palestinians living there were displaced by an intensifying, weeks-long military operation.

People look on as Israeli tanks enter the Jenin camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, on February 23, 2025. Israel on February 23 said troops would stay in West Bank refugee camps for the coming year, announcing expanded military operations including tank deployments, after the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Israel says army to stay in evacuated West Bank camps for 'coming year'

Israel said on Sunday its troops would remain for many months in refugee camps in the occupied West Bank, after tens of thousands of Palestinians living there have been displaced by an intensifying military operation.

The military began a major raid against Palestinian militants in the West Bank's north a month ago, just after a truce went into effect in the Gaza Strip, a separate Palestinian territory.

The West Bank offensive has gradually expanded, spanning multiple refugee camps near the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas.

Palestinian children and journalists disperse as Israeli tanks enter the Jenin camp for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, on February 23, 2025

Lebanon not battleground for 'wars of others', leader tells Iran

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun told a visiting Iranian delegation on Sunday that the war-scarred country was "tired" of external conflicts playing out on its territory.

The high-level delegation was in Beirut for the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the slain leader of Tehran-backed Hezbollah which fought a war with Israel last year that ended in a November truce.

"Lebanon has grown tired of the wars of others on its land," Aoun told the Iranian officials, according to a statement shared by the newly appointed president, a former army chief seen as close to the West.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R), seen as close to the West, in his meeting with Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf

Khamenei vows 'resistance' to Israel as Iran officials attend Nasrallah funeral

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "resistance" against Israel as Tehran-backed Hezbollah held a funeral Sunday in Beirut for its leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed in an Israeli strike last year.

"The enemy should know that resistance against usurpation, oppression and arrogance is never-ending and will continue until the desired goal is achieved," Khamenei said in a statement published on his official website.

Iranians walk past an illustrated banner depicting the coffin of slain Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in Tehran

Israel says army to stay in evacuated West Bank camps for 'coming year'

Israel on Sunday said troops would stay in West Bank refugee camps for the coming year, announcing expanded military operations including tank deployments, after the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians.

The military one month ago began a major raid against Palestinian militants in the West Bank just after a truce began in the Gaza Strip, another Palestinian territory.

The Israeli operation in the West Bank spans multiple refugee camps near the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas.

Israeli troops at the entrance to the occupied West Bank refugee camp of Tulkarem

Hamas says Gaza truce gravely endangered after Israel's prisoner delay

Hamas on Sunday said Israel has gravely endangered a five-week-old Gaza truce by delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners under the deal because of the manner it has freed Israeli hostages.

The first phase of the truce ends early in March and details of a planned subsequent phase have not been agreed.

With tensions again hanging over the deal, which halted more than 15 months of war, Israel on Sunday announced an expansion of military operations in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian families in Ramallah, the occupied West Bank, after Israel delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners

Hezbollah chief vows 'resistance' as masses mourn Nasrallah

Hezbollah's leader said "resistance" was not over as hundreds of thousands mourned slain chief Hassan Nasrallah Sunday at a Beirut funeral, demonstrating continued support for the group after a devastating war with Israel.

During the funeral, women wailed as a truck carrying the coffins of Nasrallah and his chosen successor Hashem Safieddine -- both killed in Israeli strikes -- slowly moved through the crowd, topped with two black turbans and draped in Hezbollah's yellow flag.

A mourner carries the portraits of Hezbollah's slain leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine during their funeral

Andreeva, 17, makes WTA history with help from LeBron and Federer

Inspired by LeBron James and Roger Federer, Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva wrapped up a fairytale week in Dubai by becoming the youngest ever WTA 1000 champion with victory over Clara Tauson on Saturday.

After ousting three Grand Slam winners, including second-seeded Iga Swiatek, en route to the final, Andreeva ended Tauson's own dream run at the tournament with a 7-6 (7/1), 6-1 victory against the Dane.

Landmark win: Russia's Mirra Andreeva

Japan's Forever Young wins $20mln Saudi Cup

Japan's Forever Young hunted down Hong Kong racing royalty Romantic Warrior to land the world's richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh on Saturday.

Romantic Warrior is the highest-earning racehorse of all time, turning up at the Saudi capital with almost $23 million (22m euros) in the bank.

The seven-year-old gelding looked destined to add significantly to his prize pot when he went well clear round the home turn in this his first ever outing on dirt.

Forever Young foiled Rainbow Warrior