Hardline pro-settler Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has responsibility for large parts of Israeli policy in the West Bank, said the recent West Bank operation was the start of a “strong and ongoing campaign” against militant groups “for the protection of settlements and settlers”, Reuters reports.

Earlier, Smotrich welcomed Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on settlers accused of violence against Palestinians. He said he looked forward to cooperating with the new US administration in expanding settlements, which most countries consider to be in violation of international law.

In the days leading up to the Israeli military operation in Jenin, Palestinians in the West Bank said multiple roadblocks had been set up throughout the territory, where violence has resurged since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza.