Israeli Forces Intensify Demolition Campaign in Jenin Refugee Camp
Military Reinforcements Deployed
Israeli forces has escalated their ongoing military operation in the Jenin refugee camp, northern West Bank, by deploying additional troops and bulldozers.
According to local sources, the reinforcements entered through the Al-Jalama military checkpoint, targeting areas marked for demolition, including the western neighborhood and Al-Sikka and Abdullah Azzam streets.
Footage from the Palestinian Information Center captured bulldozers, accompanied by military vehicles, advancing toward the camp early in the morning.
This operation, now in its 140th day since January 21, has intensified the destruction of infrastructure in Jenin, a key center of Palestinian resistance.
Widespread Destruction and Displacement
The Israeli military’s campaign has demolished approximately 600 homes — either partially or completely — within Jenin camp, as reported by the Jenin Municipality.
On Monday, authorities issued demolition notices for an additional 95 homes, further exacerbating the crisis.
The operation has resulted in significant human costs, with over 40 Palestinians killed and dozens injured. Humanitarian groups estimate that more than 50,000 residents have been displaced across Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps.
“The occupation forces continue demolishing houses, buildings, and infrastructure amid plans to change the camps’ structure and erase their features,” a local source stated, highlighting concerns about the long-term impact on the camps’ historical and social identity.
Broader Strategy and Regional Tensions
The demolition campaign aligns with a broader escalation in the northern West Bank, particularly in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced an “escalation plan” on June 6, linking intensified actions in the occupied West Bank to European countries’ potential recognition of a Palestinian state.
Residents and officials warn that the ongoing destruction seeks to alter the demographic and cultural fabric of the refugee camps.
As the operation continues, the humanitarian toll mounts, with thousands of displaced Palestinians facing an uncertain future amid the systematic demolition of their homes and communities.