Israeli Military Operation Displaces 40,000 in the West Bank
Several refugee camps in the West Bank are nearly deserted following the launch of Operation Iron Wall by Israeli forces on January 21. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), this marks the longest military operation in the region since the second intifada.
The operation initially targeted Jenin refugee camp before expanding to Tulkarm, Nur Shams, and Al-Far’a camps, ultimately displacing approximately 40,000 Palestinian refugees.
Mass Forced Displacement
UNRWA reports that thousands of families have been forcibly displaced since Israel began large-scale military operations in the occupied West Bank in mid-2023. The agency emphasizes that repeated military actions have made northern refugee camps uninhabitable, trapping residents in a cycle of displacement.
According to UNRWA, over 60 percent of last year’s displacements were caused by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operations. The agency warns that the increasing use of military tactics—including airstrikes, armored bulldozers, controlled detonations, and advanced weaponry—has turned these operations into an extension of the ongoing war in Gaza.
Escalation of Armed Clashes
Meanwhile, Palestinian militant activity has surged in the northern West Bank, with armed groups deploying improvised explosive devices (IEDs) inside refugee camps, including near UNRWA facilities and civilian infrastructure.
Violent clashes continue between militants, Israeli forces, and Palestinian security units. UNRWA notes that operations conducted by Palestinian security forces since December 2024 have further contributed to displacement, particularly in Jenin.
New Israeli Laws Worsen Conditions
UNRWA has reiterated the importance of protecting civilians and humanitarian infrastructure, stressing that collective punishment is never acceptable.
“Jenin camp stands empty today, reminiscent of the second intifada. This scenario is now being repeated in other camps,” the agency stated.
The situation has worsened following the implementation of two Israeli laws on January 30, which prohibit UNRWA from operating in Israeli-controlled areas and bar Israeli officials from communicating with the agency. This has made it impossible for UNRWA to report humanitarian concerns or request urgent aid for affected civilians.
“The new restrictions put at grave risk the lives of Palestinian refugees and the UNRWA staff members who serve them,” the agency warned.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the ongoing Israeli military operations in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas continue to cause civilian casualties, with at least 40 deaths reported since January 21.
Humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Programme (WFP), are working alongside the UN to support displaced Palestinians. WFP and its partners have provided cash assistance to nearly 1,200 affected households as displacement continues to rise.
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