In Jenin, West Bank, families face an unsettling reality as Israeli snipers take positions in their neighborhood. Haleemeh Zawaydeh, a 63-year-old resident, quickly gathered her family and fled on foot as the sound of gunfire intensified. Their hasty departure mirrored the experiences of around 37,000 Palestinians who the United Nations estimates have been displaced due to a month-long Israeli military offensive against militant groups in the area. Zawaydeh, like many others, hopes to return to the home she has known all her life, although it’s uncertain if Israeli authorities will permit their return.
This recent invasion of Jenin was notably swifter compared to previous Israeli actions, emptying four refugee camps that originated in 1948 to house Palestinians displaced during the formation of Israel. Over time, these camps have developed into densely populated communities. The Israeli Defense Minister recently announced that troops might remain for a year, preventing displaced Palestinians from returning home. Consequently, thousands of families from impoverished West Bank areas are now living in temporary housing. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated an urgent need for cash assistance to help 4,000 families meet rental expenses.
While Zawaydeh currently finds shelter outside Jenin, her sense of security is fragile. “There is no place that can replace the camp,” she reflects, highlighting the profound emotional connection to her long-time home. The ongoing displacement marks the largest such event since the 1967 war, when approximately 250,000 Palestinians were displaced after Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Over 50 years later, Palestinians are again forced into temporary arrangements, such as university dorms and makeshift shelters, as financial constraints limit the Palestinian Authority’s ability to provide significant aid.
Following a declared crackdown on West Bank militants on January 21, Israeli forces entered the Jenin camp, engaging in intense combat with Palestinian fighters. Unlike previous operations, Israeli troops also deeply penetrated other camps like Tulkarem, Far’a, and Nur Shams, known for militant strongholds. As a result, many camps are largely cleared of civilians. This has revived painful memories of the 1948 conflict surrounding Israel’s establishment when approximately 750,000 Palestinians were displaced. Human rights organizations have voiced concerns over potential violations, including forcible population transfers, which may constitute war crimes under international law.
In efforts to permanently relocate the Gaza Strip’s population, ongoing demolitions worsen conditions in the camps. Residents of Nur Shams learned of planned demolitions and, under limited access, attempted to salvage belongings. Mohammed Abdullah, one displaced resident, visited his son’s grave and evacuated valuables, lamenting the impossibility of retaining all possessions tied to their home and community. Extensive damage and destruction to housing, infrastructure, and utilities in affected areas compound the hardships.
In makeshift shelters, such as a repurposed charity for the blind in Jenin, displaced families struggle to adapt. With converted dorms and limited resources provided through donations, 23 families, totaling 85 individuals, reside there temporarily. Many hope to reunite with their homes despite military blockades. Nazmi Turkman, a displaced resident, expressed his determination to return, although military fortifications and surveillance deter his efforts. “God willing, we will return soon,” he says, uncertain of the fate of his home.
The Palestinian Authority’s limited capability, compounded by financial strain and tax revenue withholding by Israel, weakens their response to the crisis. Meanwhile, the main U.N. agency supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is hampered by Israeli legislative restrictions, stymieing vital coordination with military forces.
Even with international protections prohibiting mass displacement, affected residents remain persistent. Recently, displaced men from Tulkarem camp gathered in protest, underscoring their refusal to accept forced movements and pledging to protect their right of return.
