Following the decision to demolish their homes, dozens of displaced residents have returned to the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank to collect their belongings. This comes ahead of the planned demolition of 25 buildings by the Israeli army.
Since the beginning of the year, the Israeli army has been conducting a large-scale military operation, purportedly aimed at eliminating Palestinian armed groups in refugee camps across the northern West Bank, including those in Tulkarm, Nur Shams, and Jenin. This operation has resulted in the displacement of over 30,000 residents, many of whom have not had the opportunity to return to their homes.
Today, scores of residents rushed to salvage what they could – furniture, children’s toys, even window frames – loading them onto small trucks. Israeli soldiers oversaw the process, checking IDs and conducting physical searches, granting access only to those whose homes were slated for demolition.
Some managed to rescue large, empty water tanks, while others carried out family photos, mattresses, and heaters. Mahmoud Abdullah, displaced from Nur Shams, managed to enter parts of the camp and expressed shock at the extent of the destruction.
“I was surprised to see that there were no houses fit for habitation,” Abdullah said. “Maybe there are two or three, but they are not suitable for living… the camp is destroyed.”
The demolitions, impacting approximately 100 families residing in the 25 buildings, were announced earlier this week and are scheduled to take place on Thursday.
During the operation, the Israeli army has destroyed hundreds of buildings and houses in the narrow alleyways of these camps, allegedly to facilitate the movement of armored vehicles, bulldozers, and troops.
Ahmed Al-Masri, a resident of the camp whose home is marked for demolition, stated that his request to enter his home was denied. “When I asked why, I…”
