World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
33,362 Palestinians remain displaced from three West Bank camps
Israeli forces displaced residents of three West Bank refugee camps in January and February 2025, and they have not been allowed to return.
The camps are in Jenin and Tulkarem, in the occupied West Bank, and include Tulkarem, where Fuad Abu Salam’s home was damaged.
About 33,362 Palestinians remain displaced, according to UNRWA figures cited in a report, while many homes and essential networks have been damaged.
The Israeli Supreme Court ordered the government to provide a return timeline, setting November 23 as the deadline for a response.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich rejected the ruling, while Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would maintain its presence in the camps.
The government must respond by November 23, but the sources do not say whether displaced residents will be allowed to return.
UNRWA data cited in a report says 33,362 Palestinians remain forcibly displaced from three refugee camps in the northern occupied West Bank.
Israeli forces displaced the populations of the Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps during January and February 2025 and continue to prevent their return, the United Nations says.
The military operation damaged or destroyed homes and infrastructure and cut off humanitarian aid to the camps.
Israel’s Supreme Court ordered the government to provide a timeline for residents’ return, setting November 23 as the deadline for a response.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich rejected the ruling, while Defence Minister Israel Katz opposed the court’s intervention.
- Who
- 33,362 Palestinians displaced from the Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps.
- What
- They remain displaced, and Israel’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to provide a timeline for their return.
- When
- The displacement took place during January and February 2025. The court set November 23 as the deadline for a government response.
- Where
- The Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps in the occupied West Bank.
- Why
- Israeli forces launched a military operation called “Iron Wall”; the sources say the operation forcibly displaced residents and that Israeli authorities continue to prevent their return.
Israel’s Supreme Court
Bezalel Smotrich and Israel Katz
Return of displaced residents
Israel’s Supreme Court
The court ordered the government to provide a timeline for residents’ return.
Bezalel Smotrich and Israel Katz
Smotrich warned their return could allow the rebuilding of what he called “terror infrastructure” and urged the government not to implement the ruling.
Military presence in the camps
Israel’s Supreme Court
The court intervened by ordering the government to provide a return timeline.
Bezalel Smotrich and Israel Katz
Katz opposed the court’s intervention, saying the army’s continued presence was a security decision and that he intended to maintain it.
Israel launched its “Iron Wall” military assault in the occupied West Bank, initially targeting Jenin refugee camp.
The operation expanded to include Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps.
Israeli forces displaced the populations of all three camps.
UNRWA data cited in a report showed that structures in all three camps had been destroyed or damaged.
Israel’s Supreme Court ordered the government to provide a timeline for residents’ return, setting November 23 as the response deadline.
- People still displaced
- 33,362 Palestinians
- Camps affected
- Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams
- Operation name
- Iron Wall
- Jenin structures damaged or destroyed
- 52 percent by October 2025
- Nur Shams structures damaged or destroyed
- 48 percent by October 2025
- Tulkarem structures damaged or destroyed
- 36 percent by October 2025
What people are saying
terror infrastructure
If a decision were issued right now allowing us to return, I would go back immediately without a moment’s hesitation,
Sources
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