Israeli forces demolished over a dozen apartment buildings in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, displacing thousands of Palestinians as part of an ongoing military campaign.
Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, Israel has intensified its operations across the West Bank, employing airstrikes and large-scale raids to target what it describes as militant threats. The latest phase, known as “Operation Iron Wall,” launched last month, has particularly focused on the northern region.
Widespread Displacement and Destruction
The United Nations estimates that at least 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced in the northern West Bank due to the ongoing Israeli offensive. In Tulkarem, Governor Abdullah Kamil reported that Tuesday’s demolitions destroyed multi-story buildings that had housed dozens of families. He criticized the operation as politically motivated, aimed at appeasing hardliners within the Israeli government.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has pushed for annexing Jewish settlements in the West Bank, viewing the current geopolitical climate as an opportunity for expansion. Meanwhile, Palestinians continue to seek an independent state encompassing the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
Military Justifications and Palestinian Reactions
The Israeli military asserts that its operations are necessary to eliminate “terrorist infrastructure” and prevent future attacks. On Tuesday, Israeli forces arrested 25 individuals in the northern West Bank, alleging their involvement in militant activities. The military also reported seizing weapons and intelligence materials.
However, Palestinian officials and humanitarian organizations have condemned the operation. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has raised alarms over the growing displacement crisis, with forced evacuations accelerating at an unprecedented pace. According to Kamil, Israeli forces have conducted midnight raids, extensively damaging homes and cutting off essential services like water and electricity in refugee camps.
Escalating Conflict and Humanitarian Concerns
The military campaign has expanded beyond Jenin to include Tulkarem, Nur Shams, and El Far’a refugee camps. UNRWA reports that the West Bank has already experienced 38 airstrikes this year, a significant escalation that mirrors the intensity of the war in Gaza.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has called for immediate humanitarian aid and shelter for those displaced, particularly in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams. He urged international intervention to mitigate the crisis until Israeli forces withdraw.
As tensions continue to rise, the situation in the West Bank remains volatile, with thousands left homeless and essential infrastructure in ruins. The humanitarian toll of the operation is mounting, deepening the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
