Israeli Military Moves to Block Displaced Palestinians’ Return to Three West Bank Camps

According to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the Israeli military has informed the Supreme Court that residents who were displaced from the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps will not be allowed to return at this time.

The newspaper reported that the army plans to maintain a military presence in the northern West Bank camps to preserve what it describes as operational and security control, and no timetable has been set for the residents’ return.

Since the start of large-scale Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced from the three camps. Palestinian residents and aid organizations have described the evacuations as abrupt and deeply disruptive, leaving many families reliant on limited humanitarian aid.

According to Haaretz, Israeli forces have also carried out extensive demolition and engineering operations inside the camps, including widening roads and creating new routes intended to facilitate the movement of military vehicles.

The Israeli military has stated that these changes are necessary to improve access for security operations and to prevent armed groups from rebuilding infrastructure within the densely populated camp areas.

Palestinian officials and human rights organizations argue that the destruction and prolonged displacement are fundamentally altering the camps and could prevent residents from ever returning to their homes.

Human Rights Watch has previously accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with forced displacement and destruction in the northern West Bank. Israel rejects these characterizations and maintains that its operations are directed against Palestinian armed groups and are necessary for security reasons.

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