The World Health Organization is deeply concerned about violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the impact of what it called "starkly rising" attacks on healthcare, its representative in the Palestinian territories said on Tuesday.

By Raneen Sawafta and James Mackenzie JENIN, West Bank/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel sent tanks into the occupied West Bank for the first time in more than 20 years on Sunday as it ordered the military to prepare for an "extended stay" to fight Palestinian militant groups in the area's refugee camps.

Phase 1 of Israel's ceasefire with Hamas is just days away from ending with no clear path forward. A rift is emerging between the east and west of the EU over what to do with Russia’s seized central bank reserves.

Amid the most intensive Israeli operations in the area in decades, Palestinians fear entrenched displacement and a return to military control in some towns.

Israel's defense minister said Sunday troops would remain “for the coming year” in parts of the occupied West Bank where they have launched a weekslong offensive and would prevent tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians from returning,

The Israeli military this weekend deployed tanks to the occupied West Bank for the first time in two decades. In the background of a Gaza ceasefire, Israel has steadily escalated an intense military operation in Palestinian cities in the West Bank,

The move came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a stop to the release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

The Israeli military deployed tanks into the occupied West Bank for the first time in more than 20 years. The deployment comes amid Israel’s “operation Iron Wall” campaign, which launched last month seeking to “eliminate terrorist strongholds” in West Bank refugee camps,