In the West Bank, the situation is dire as Israeli military operations continue to displace thousands of Palestinians. In Tulkarem, 25-year-old Omaima Faraj is one of many volunteers stepping up to help those affected. She recently arrived at a school that has been converted into a shelter, where she began her day by checking the health of an elderly woman who has lost her home.
Faraj has been volunteering for weeks as part of a group working to provide medical aid and support to those impacted by Israeli raids in the area. Since the beginning of the Israeli operation known as “Iron Wall” on January 21, she and her fellow volunteers have faced significant challenges. Instead of fleeing the violence, they rushed into Tulkarem’s refugee camp to assist those in need.
During the most intense days of the attacks, Faraj and her team stayed in the camp for over 12 days, delivering essential aid to the injured and elderly. Many residents were unable to reach hospitals due to military blockades. The volunteers faced harassment from Israeli soldiers, who threatened them with violence if they did not leave the area.
One particularly harrowing incident involved an elderly man trapped in his home for four days. Despite the soldiers blocking their way, the volunteers persisted, and with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross, they were finally able to reach him and evacuate him from his dire situation.
The Al-Awda Center in Tulkarem, where Faraj volunteers, has been training local volunteers to document the conditions in the camps and assess the needs of displaced residents. The group, consisting mostly of young women, has gathered to provide medical support and distribute basic necessities to those affected by the ongoing violence.
These volunteers operate without a central base, carrying only backpacks filled with medical supplies as they move between temporary shelters. Their work is crucial, especially since the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency has been barred from assisting in the West Bank.
In addition to medical care, the volunteers also offer emotional support, holding group sessions to help each other cope with the stress of their work. Many of them are also personally affected by the violence, having lost homes and loved ones in the raids. Faraj, for instance, lost her 18-year-old brother to an Israeli drone strike last year.
Meanwhile, in nearby Jenin, children are finding brief moments of joy amid the chaos. The Freedom Theater has organized activities for displaced children in Kafr Dan, encouraging them to express their fears and frustrations through play and laughter.
Um Muhammed, a 67-year-old woman who has offered shelter to a displaced family, remembers her own experience of displacement during the second Intifada. She feels a strong desire to help those currently suffering, knowing the pain of losing a home.
As the violence continues, the reality of displacement is settling in for many families. The hope of returning home is fading, leaving residents to grapple with the uncertainty of their future. The resilience of volunteers like Faraj and the community support efforts highlight the strength of those affected, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.