West Bank Displacement: Israel Operation & Palestinian Crisis
Israeli military operations in the West bank have triggered the forced displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroying homes and infrastructure in Jenin and Tulkarem. This humanitarian crisis, detailed by Amnesty International, reveals the scale of devastation, including widespread home demolitions and restricted access to essential services. The ongoing conflict, coinciding with Naksa Day, has resulted in an alarming number of casualties, including children. This situation demands immediate international accountability, prompting calls for an end to these illegal practices including attacks on residential areas. News Directory 3 is keeping watch, reporting on these events as they unfold. What measures will be taken to address this displacement and what is the long-term impact? Discover what’s next …
Israeli Military Operation Displaces Thousands in West Bank, Says Amnesty
Updated June 06, 2025
ongoing Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank have forcibly displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to Amnesty International. The destruction of homes and essential infrastructure in Jenin and Tulkarem refugee camps has rendered these areas uninhabitable, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
The operations, which have included the use of tanks and airstrikes, coincide with the 58th anniversary of Naksa Day, commemorating the displacement of Palestinians during the 1967 war. Since january, Israeli forces have killed at least 80 Palestinians, including 14 children, in the northern West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Amnesty International has verified video footage showing widespread destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure in the camps. Arrests have also increased, with approximately 1,000 Palestinians detained in Jenin and Tulkarem since the operation began.
Israel must immediately halt illegal practices leading to the forced displacement of Palestinians, including attacks on residential areas, destruction of property and infrastructure, pervasive access and movement restrictions imposed on Palestinians.
Erika guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns
According to Amnesty International, the Israeli military has declared Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarem refugee camps closed military areas, preventing residents from returning to their homes. Witnesses reported that Israeli forces fired upon civilians attempting to check on their properties.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) described the operation in March as the most destructive in the occupied West Bank as the second intifada in the 2000s. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) reports extensive destruction of homes in the Jenin refugee camp.
Residents shared accounts of the devastation. One mother from Jenin Refugee Camp described receiving photos of her completely destroyed home,recognizing her children’s bed sheets amidst the rubble. Ibraheem Khalifa, a resident of Nur Shams, recounted the demolition of his family’s apartment building, a place filled with memories.
The destruction extends to critical infrastructure, including roads, water, electricity, and communications networks. Access to the refugee camps has been severely restricted, with Israeli forces blocking entrances and main roads.
Fatima Ali, a resident of Nur Shams, described how Israeli forces took over her home and converted it into a military outpost, confining her to one room due to her illness and the destroyed streets.
The military operation has also impacted social and economic rights, with children missing school and businesses shuttered. Qais Awad of the Tulkarem Chamber of Commerce described Tulkarem as a “ghost town” due to the restrictions on movement and economic activity.
What’s next
Amnesty International is calling for urgent international action to hold Israel accountable for it’s actions and to end the forced displacement of Palestinians. The institution urges states to halt arms and military assistance to Israel and to support the International Criminal Court’s investigation into crimes in Palestine.