Israeli forces have expanded their demolition campaign in the West Bank, particularly affecting the Jenin refugee camp. This operation has left many residents, including 66-year-old Jumaa Zawayda, in distress and uncertainty about their homes.
On a recent night, Israeli troops entered the Jenin camp, which is home to around 20,000 Palestinians, and began ordering people to evacuate. Jumaa chose to stay behind, hoping to protect his home from damage during the military operation. For three days, he endured fear and chaos, with gunfire and explosions echoing around him. Eventually, he felt he had no choice but to leave as essential services were cut off.
Now, months later, Jumaa stands on a hill overlooking the camp, anxious to see if his home still stands. Reports suggest that many buildings have been destroyed, but Jumaa and others are left in the dark about their fate. After being displaced, he spent time in a shelter before moving in with his brother.
The situation in Jenin has been dire for some time. Before the recent conflict in Gaza, Israel was already intensifying its military actions against armed groups in the West Bank. These groups, linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas, have been involved in attacks against Israeli forces. Local estimates suggest there were around 150 fighters in the camp prior to the military operations.
The Israeli government has labeled the refugee camps as "nests of terror," leading to increased military presence and demolitions. Recent reports indicate that Israeli forces have razed at least 260 buildings in the northern West Bank since January, displacing approximately 42,000 Palestinians. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has described the scale of displacement as unprecedented in decades.
In a recent move, Israel provided a map outlining 106 buildings in Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps slated for demolition. Residents were given limited opportunities to return and collect essential belongings. Jumaa was one of the few allowed to retrieve his identification card and his family dog during a brief visit to his home.
The Israeli military claims the demolitions are necessary to improve their operational capabilities, arguing that armed groups use civilian areas to hide weapons and launch attacks. However, many Palestinians, including Jumaa, feel targeted without justification. Jumaa insists he has no ties to militants and expresses his determination to return to his home, even if it means setting up a tent where his house once stood.
The situation remains tense, with ongoing military operations and reports of further casualties. As the community grapples with loss and uncertainty, the plight of displaced families like Jumaa’s highlights the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in the West Bank.