Jenin Under Siege: The Human Cost of Ongoing Conflict in the Occupied West Bank
The Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank has become a scene of devastation and despair as Israeli forces intensify their military operations in the region. On a recent Sunday evening, the camp witnessed an extraordinary and ominous sight: two massive armored bulldozers led the way for three Merkava tanks, tearing through the asphalt and clearing a path into the camp. The arrival of these tanks marked the first time such heavy machinery had been seen in Jenin since 2002, heightening fears among residents of a prolonged Israeli presence.
The camp, already emptied by weeks of relentless attacks, braced for yet another military incursion. Young men and boys gathered near the entrance, watching in a mix of awe and disbelief. Ahmed, a young man born in Jenin during the Second Intifada, has witnessed numerous military incursions before, but never with such intensity. “It won’t be easy for them to stay,” he said, though the sight of the tanks and bulldozers hinted at a different reality. The silence was broken by the sound of tearing asphalt, and as the tanks advanced, a familiar yet harrowing scene unfolded: Palestinian youth, armed with nothing but stones, hurled them at the tanks. In response, tear gas filled the air, scattering the crowd and leaving a trail of debris.
The situation in Jenin is part of a broader pattern of increased military activity across the occupied West Bank. Since 2022, Israel has conducted near-daily raids, intensifying its efforts further since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023. The stated aim is to weaken armed Palestinian resistance groups, but the impact on civilians has been severe. Israeli forces have used helicopters, drones, and now tanks, leaving widespread destruction and displacement in their wake. As Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced plans for a “long stay” in the cleared camps, residents are left uncertain about their future. One displaced young man, forced out just weeks earlier, spoke of the uncertainty: “Once again, we don’t know what will happen. I have a house to stay in for now, but many people have nowhere to sleep tonight.”
The humanitarian crisis is deepening, with over 40,000 Palestinians forcibly displaced, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Many are unable to return home, facing checkpoints and sniper fire. Women attempting to salvage their belongings were turned back by soldiers, their frustration evident as they navigated the rubble-filled streets. Halima Zawahidi, a 63-year-old lifelong resident of the camp, fled with nothing but the clothes on her back. She now shares a cramped room at a shelter with her family, her voice tinged with both resilience and despair. The siege on the camp, which included cutting off water, electricity, and access, has left residents living in the dark, a harsh reality that Halima describes as the most vicious attack she has ever experienced.
The broader implications of these actions are unsettling. Observers believe Israel’s ultimate aim may be to depopulate the West Bank of its Palestinian population, following a strategy similar to that seen in Gaza. However, such efforts have so far failed to achieve their desired outcome in Gaza, despite immense military force. The human cost is immense, with thousands uprooted from their homes and lives turned upside down. Jameela, a resident, encapsulates the collective despair: “What are they going to do? Destroy all the camp? Do they want to make a hole in the land and put us in there?”
Standing at the entrance of the camp, Halima expressed a glimmer of hope: “We’ll be back one day.” Yet, the immediate future remains uncertain, as Israel continues its military operations with little international accountability. The situation in Jenin is a stark reminder of the enduring conflict and the human toll it exacts on those caught in the crossfire. The world watches as Jenin’s residents struggle to hold on to their homes, their dignity, and their hope for a future free from conflict.
