Israeli tanks are deployed during an ongoing army operation in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, February 24, 2025. (Photo: AP)
Tel Aviv, March 31 (RHC)-- The Israeli army has announced plans to dismantle the Palestinian refugee camps in the cities of Jenin and Tulkarm as the regime forces press ahead with a large-scale offensive in the northern occupied West Bank.
Israeli media quoted military sources as saying that plans are underway to completely wipe out the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps across the occupied region.
The sources confirmed that the demolitions were fully carried out after receiving approval from the Central Command and legal advice. A ban was then issued on the reconstruction of the demolished buildings and roads.
On the ground, demolition operations are being carried out on daily basis. The Israeli military is issuing repeated warnings to hundreds of Palestinian families about the impending destruction of their homes.
Saleh al-Zuhairi, a member of the Popular Committee for Services in Nur Shams camp, said that Israel's plan is already being implemented. The demolition of homes doesn't just concern those directly impacted.
"When we are notified of the intention to demolish 30 homes, it actually means demolishing at least 100, because all the homes are built vertically. Similarly, when they tell us they will demolish 10 homes, they end up demolishing 40, without accounting for the significant damage to the neighboring homes," Zuhairi was quoted as saying.
According to reports, so far, at least 500 homes in the camp have been completely leveled, along with hundreds more partially damaged. The camp's 13,000 residents were all forced to leave, and everyone in the surrounding area was displaced.
The situation is not much different in other camps. Many homes were demolished to open up and widen roads to allow easier access for Israeli military vehicles. Faisal Salama, the coordinator of the camp's popular committee, said that the Israeli army demolished entire blocks and residential units in order to change the "geographical and demographic landscape."
Salama said that another goal Israel seeks to achieve is reducing the population by demolishing homes and creating a hostile environment until the camp becomes uninhabitable.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspapers reported that the army has prepared similar plans for the remaining 18 camps in the West Bank. The Israeli army in recent months has desperately struggled to maintain control over the camps, which it described as “strategically vital” areas for resistance activity.
UN has warned that the forced displacement of Palestinian communities in the northern part of the West Bank is escalating at an alarming pace.
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more arrested since the military offensive began in January.
Tensions have continued to escalate across the occupied West Bank. Since Oct. 7, 2023, at least 939 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 7,000 injured in attacks by Israeli forces and settlers, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
[ SOURCE: PRESS TV and ASSOCIATED PRESS ]
