WEST BANK, (The Palestine Foundation Pakistan)
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced on Thursday that 32,000 Palestinians remain forcibly displaced from camps in the northern occupied West Bank due to the ongoing Israeli aggression that began earlier this year.
Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, stated that residents of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams camps are still unable to return to their homes after being completely evacuated since the Israeli offensive started on January 21. He described these areas as having become “ghost towns” after once being “full of life.”
Friedrich revealed that the Israeli army recently issued new demolition orders under the pretext of “military purposes,” including the destruction of 12 buildings and partial demolition of 11 more in Jenin camp, with implementation scheduled to begin Friday.
He added that March and June saw mass demolition orders targeting over 190 buildings in Jenin camp, and 20 buildings were previously destroyed using controlled explosions in February.
The UN official emphasized that this “systematic destruction” violates international law and only serves to entrench long-term Israeli military control over the camps. He called for immediate reconstruction efforts and urged Israeli authorities to allow displaced residents to return home.
Friedrich also noted that the Israeli offensive, which began in Jenin camp, has since spread to Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps as part of an ongoing escalation in the West Bank that has persisted for over two years. This has coincided with Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
According to official Palestinian data, the Israeli aggression in the West Bank has resulted in more than 1,083 Palestinians killed, nearly 11,000 wounded, and over 20,500 arrested since the escalation began.
