By Ali Sawafta JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli bulldozers have demolished large areas of the now virtually empty Jenin refugee camp and appear to be carving wide roadways through its once-crowded warren of alleyways,

Overshadowed by Gaza, the latest West Bank offensive - which Israel launched on January 21, two days after the current ceasefire in Gaza took hold - threatens to open a new, bloody chapter

Israel launched a broad offensive on the northern West Bank on Jan. 21 — two days after the ceasefire that paused the war in Gaza took hold — and then expanded it to include o

A month-long sweep for Palestinian militants in the northern West Bank could continue for a year, Israel’s defense minister said, adding that residents who fled will be barred from returning and that a contested UN relief agency’s work there will be halted.

Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said that 40,000 Palestinian residents displaced from militant hotbeds would not be allowed to return to their homes.

Palestinian families and well-wishers waited for long hours for the release of their sons and loved ones on Saturday. When it became clear to them that there was a postponement, some decided not to return home until the prisoners were released.

Gaza Hamas says it is delaying further negotiations with Israel until 620 Palestinian detainees, who were supposed to be released on Saturday, are handed over, placing the fragile Gaza ceasefire in jeopardy as violence escalates in the occupied West Bank.