Destruction of Refugee Camps in Tulkarem Sparks Fear and Displacement
In the West Bank city of Tulkarem, the Israeli military has carried out a series of operations that have led to the destruction of large portions of two refugee camps. This action has left thousands of Palestinians displaced and deeply concerned about their future. The military claims that these actions are part of an effort to target armed militants, but many residents believe that the true intention is to erase their identity and historical claims as refugees.
The operation involved bulldozers that demolished homes and created wide roads through the camps. Residents were given only a few hours to gather their belongings before the destruction began. According to the Israeli military, this clearance is part of “Operation Iron Wall,” which aims to improve access for future military operations and weaken resistance strongholds in the area.
For many locals, the destruction was devastating. One such resident is 62-year-old Abd al-Rahman Ajaj, who returned to find his home reduced to rubble. Born in the camp after his parents fled from Netanya in 1948, Ajaj expressed shock at the scale of the damage. “We came back and found our house demolished. No one told us anything,” he said, highlighting the lack of communication and preparation for the destruction.
The demolition of over 100 more buildings is expected in the coming days. The United Nations has reported that around 40,000 people have been displaced since the raids began earlier this year. The initial operations started in Jenin and have since expanded to other cities, including Tulkarem.
Residents now fear that these demolitions are part of a larger plan to dissolve the refugee camps entirely and strip them of their legal status as refugee communities. Without the camps, they worry that their right to return to their ancestral lands—central to the Palestinian struggle—may be lost forever.
Many Palestinians view these actions as an attempt to normalize their displacement. With far-right voices in Israel advocating for the annexation of the West Bank, refugees believe that the destruction of their homes is a move to “eliminate the refugee issue” by erasing both the physical and legal traces of their history.
The situation has raised concerns among international observers and human rights organizations. They argue that the destruction of refugee camps not only violates the rights of displaced individuals but also undermines the long-standing demand for a just resolution to the Palestinian refugee issue. The loss of homes and community structures further complicates the already challenging path toward peace and reconciliation in the region.
As the conflict continues, the impact on civilian populations remains a pressing concern. The ongoing destruction of refugee camps highlights the need for greater transparency, accountability, and a commitment to protecting the rights of those affected by the conflict. For the residents of Tulkarem and other areas, the fear of losing their homes and identity is not just a distant possibility—it is a reality they face daily.
