Between Dec 2024 and Jan 2026, Israel’s “Operation Iron Wall” expelled the entire populations of Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps, killed 102 Palestinians, including 21 children, and largely destroyed the emptied camps, making them uninhabitable. The Operation raises concerns of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing, and appears aimed at entrenching the Israeli occupation and undermining the viability of a Palestinian state. Read the report:

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📢New  @UNHumanRights  report: Destruction of Palestinian refugee camps in northern West Bank

 

 Between Dec 2024 and Jan 2026, Israel’s “Operation Iron Wall” expelled the entire populations of Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps, killed 102 Palestinians, including 21 children, and largely destroyed the emptied camps, making them uninhabitable. The Operation raises concerns of crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing, and appears aimed at entrenching the Israeli occupation and undermining the viability of a Palestinian state. Read the report: 🔗

Thematic Report - Destruction of Palestinian refugee camps in northern West Bank (Dec. 2024 – Jan. 2026)

Published

04 September 2026

Summary

This report documents the destruction of the Palestinian refugees camps of Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarm in the occupied northern West Bank. It covers actions by Palestinian and Israeli security forces between December 2024 and January 2026, and documents in particular the Israeli "Operation Iron Wall", which entailed the use of of means and tactics designed for war and not law enforcement, caused deaths and injuries, widespread destruction, and the forced displacement of the entire populations of the three camps. The actions, along with incitement coming from Israeli settler leaders to destroy the refugee camps and reestablish Israeli settlements, appeared to pursue the aim of progressively erasing the refugee status and identity of thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank, and consolidating and prolonging Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory - in particular in the northern West Bank, the area with the greatest Palestinian territorial contiguity and least fragmentation.

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Destruction of Palestinian refugee camps in northern West Bank December 2024 - January 2026)

Contents
Executive summary page 2
Introduction and background page 3
Palestinian security forces’ Operation Protect the Homeland page 5
Israeli security forces’ Operation Iron Wall page 6
Targeted killings and other unlawful killings page 8
Methodical, forced displacement of Palestinians page 9
Shooting, detaining and abusing those attempting to return to their homes page 11
Hardships and denial of return page12
Mass destruction of homes, community services and infrastructure page 14
Widescale demolition of private and public property page 14
Endorsement by the Israeli judiciary of demolitions for military purposes page17
Applicable legal framework page19
Recommendations page 24 

https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/thematic-report-destruction-palestinian-refugee-camps-northern-west-bank 

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Palestine: Any peace plan must respect international law, beginning with self-determination and accountability, urge UN experts 03 October 2025

https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/palestine

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https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/10/palestine-any-peace-plan-must-respect-international-law-beginning-self 

GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed hope for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza but warned that any peace plan must absolutely safeguard the human rights of Palestinians, and not create further conditions of oppression.

“We welcome parts of the peace plan announced by the United States to end the war in Gaza, including a permanent ceasefire, rapid release of unlawfully detained persons, an influx of humanitarian aid under United Nations supervision, no forced displacement from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the non-annexation of territory,” the experts said. “These are broadly requirements of international law that should not depend on a formal peace plan.”

The experts warned that key elements of the plan are nevertheless deeply inconsistent with fundamental rules of international law and the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice that demand that Israel ends its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

“Imposing an immediate peace at any price, regardless of or brazenly against law and justice, is a recipe for further injustice, future violence and instability,” they said.

The experts highlighted major concerns about the following aspects:

• The Palestinian right of self-determination, including through independent statehood, is not guaranteed as international law requires, and is subject to vague pre-conditions concerning Gaza’s redevelopment, Palestinian Authority reform, and a “dialogue” between Israel and Palestine. Palestine’s future would thus be at the mercy of decisions by outsiders, not in the hands of Palestinians as international law commands. The plan also preserves the failed status quo of requiring more negotiations with Israel, when the Israeli Prime Minister has already declared that Israel would “forcibly resist” statehood. This is blatantly against the International Court of Justice (ICJ) finding that fulfilling the right of self-determination cannot be made conditional upon negotiations.
• The “temporary transitional government” is not representative of Palestinians and even excludes the Palestinian Authority, further violating self-determination and lacking legitimacy. There are no concrete benchmarks or timeframes for a transition to representative governance, which belongs to the Palestinians only, without foreign interference.
• Oversight by a “Board of Peace” chaired by the US President is not under United Nations authority or transparent multilateral control, while the US is a deeply partisan supporter of Israel and not an “honest broker.” This proposal is regrettably reminiscent of colonial practices and must be rejected.
• An “International Stabilisation Force”, outside the control of the Palestinian people and the United Nations as a guarantor, would replace Israeli occupation with a US-led occupation, contrary to Palestinian self-determination.
• Partial Israeli occupation could continue indefinitely through a “security perimeter” inside Gaza’s borders, which, is absolutely unacceptable.
• The demilitarisation of Gaza has no end date and, if permanent, could leave it vulnerable to Israeli aggression. Nothing is said regarding the demilitarisation of Israel, which has committed international crimes against the Palestinians and threatened peace and security in the region through aggression against other countries.
• Deradicalisation is imposed on Gaza only, while anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab sentiments, radicalisation and public incitement to genocide have been hallmarks of dominant rhetoric in Israel over the past two years.
• The plan largely treats Gaza in isolation from the West Bank including East Jerusalem, when these areas must be regarded as a unified Palestinian territory and State.
• An “economic development plan” and “special economic zone” could result in illegal foreign exploitation of resources without Palestinian consent.
• There is no duty on Israel and those who have sustained its illegal attacks in Gaza to compensate Palestinians for illegal war damage.
• The plan provides for the release of all Israeli hostages but only some of the many arbitrarily detained Palestinians.
• Amnesties offered to Hamas seem to be unconditional, even if they committed international crimes, denying justice for victims of international crimes.
• The plan does not address accountability at all for Israeli international crimes and human rights violations against the Palestinian people. There is no commitment to transitional justice, historical truth-telling or genuine reconciliation. There is also no guaranteed access for independent journalists. Accountability and justice are integral to sustainable peace.
• The plan does not address other fundamental issues such as ending illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, borders, compensation, and refugees.
• The plan does not provide a leading role for the United Nations, General Assembly or Security Council, or specifically for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which is vital to assisting and protecting Palestinians.

“Any peace plan must respect the ground rules of international law,” the experts said. “The future of Palestine must be in the hands of the Palestinian people – not imposed by outsiders under extreme conditions of duress in yet another scheme to control their destiny.”

The experts recalled that the International Court of Justice had been crystal clear. “Conditions cannot be placed on the Palestinian right of self-determination,” they said. “The Israeli occupation must end immediately, totally and unconditionally, with due reparation made to the Palestinians.”

“The United Nations – not Israel or its closest ally – has been identified by the ICJ as the legitimate authority to oversee the end of the occupation and the transition towards a political solution in which their right of self-determination is fully realised,” the experts said.

*The experts 

https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/palestine 

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"Human rights don’t change with the seasons, political winds, or trends. They are timeless. In an increasingly polarised world, they help to unite us. No matter where we live or what we believe, we all want safety and peace for ourselves & those we love." Volker Türk #United Nations #GoldenRuleThinking

Volker Türk

@volker_turk

Human rights don’t change with the seasons, political winds, or trends. They are timeless. 

 

In an increasingly polarised world, they help to unite us.  No matter where we live or what we believe, we all want safety and peace for ourselves & those we love.

 

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |

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https://www.ohchr.org/en/topic/terrorism-and-violent-extremism

Terrorism and violent extremism

OHCHR and terrorism and violent extremism

Special Rapporteur on terrorism

Terrorism involves the intimidation or coercion of populations or governments through the threat or perpetration of violence. This may result in death, serious injury or the taking of hostages. These acts must be prevented, and the financing, movement and activity of terrorist networks stopped, in order to prevent future violations of human rights.

The victims of terrorism must also have access to an effective remedy and reparations. Victims of terrorism and extremism can play a crucial role in building stronger, more resilient societies.

Terrorism and violent extremism violate the human rights and fundamental freedoms of groups and individuals. However, States define terrorism in different, sometimes ambiguous ways, so domestic legislation does not always protect the human rights of citizens.

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States must stop Israel before all journalists in Gaza are silenced: UN experts

 

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/states-must-stop-israel-all-journalists-gaza-are-silenced-un-experts

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04 September 2025

Related

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UN experts alarmed by reports of enforced disappearances at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution sites

GENEVA – UN experts* are outraged by the killing of six more Palestinian journalists — including two women — in multiple Israeli strikes in Gaza over the past 10 days.

Mariam Abu Daqqa, a visual journalist who freelanced for the Associated Press was among those killed in two Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on 25 August, as were Al Jazeera Journalist Mohammed Salama, freelance journalist Moaz Abu Taha, Reuters photojournalist Hussam al-Masri, and Ahmed Abu Aziz who worked for several media outlets including the Middle East Eye.

Islam Abed, a correspondent from Al-Quds Today TV, was killed in a strike on a residential apartment in Gaza city on 31 August. Her husband and child were also reportedly killed in that strike.

At least 248 journalists have now been killed in Gaza, more than in any other conflict in modern times.

“On the one hand, Israel continues to deny access to any international media and on the other, it kills with impunity local journalists who are the world’s only professional lens into the agony of genocide and famine unfolding in Gaza,” the experts said.

“Even as the journalists starve, lose family members, sleep in tents and get targeted by the Israeli military like the rest of Gaza’s population, they have continued to courageously bear witness to atrocities committed by the Israeli military,” they said.

The killings come as Israel escalates its military takeover of Gaza city and barely two weeks after six journalists, including Gaza’s chief Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif, were deliberately targeted and killed in a strike near Al Shifa Hospital.

“We demand independent criminal investigations into the killings and attacks on journalists in Gaza and across the Palestinian territory and full reparation and justice for their families and an end to the unprecedented impunity enjoyed by Israel,” the experts said.

“We also demand that Israel grant full and free access to international media. Their presence will give a measure of safety to local journalists and will keep the reports flowing into the world,” said the experts.

“We urge the international community – member states as well as the key organs of the United Nations to act without delay before Israel shuts down the last voices in Gaza.”

The experts are in contact with the Government of Israel on this matter.

 

*The experts:

• Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
• Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/.

For inquiries and media requests, please contact: hrc-sr-freedex@un.org.

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) or Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org).

Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on X: @UN_SPExperts.

Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Israel and Lebanon

See all Media coverage of the situation

UN experts deeply concerned over 'scholasticide’ in Gaza 18 April 2024 “When schools are destroyed, so too are hopes and dreams.” Even UN schools sheltering forcibly displaced civilians are being bombed, including in Israeli military-designated “safe zones.” “These attacks are not isolated incidents. They present a systematic pattern of violence aimed at dismantling the very foundation of Palestinian society,” the experts said.

 

OHCHR

What are Human Rights

• Human Rights 75 Initiative
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Human rights day
• International Bill of Human Rights
• Economic, social and cultural rights

UN experts deeply concerned over 'scholasticide’ in Gaza

18 April 2024

GENEVA (18 April 2024) – UN experts* today expressed grave concern over the pattern of attacks on schools, universities, teachers, and students in the Gaza Strip, raising serious alarm over the systemic destruction of the Palestinian education system.

“With more than 80% of schools in Gaza damaged or destroyed, it may be reasonable to ask if there is an intentional effort to comprehensively destroy the Palestinian education system, an action known as ‘scholasticide’,” the experts said.

The term refers to the systemic obliteration of education through the arrest, detention or killing of teachers, students and staff, and the destruction of educational infrastructure. 

After six months of military assault, more than 5,479 students, 261 teachers and 95 university professors have been killed in Gaza, and over 7,819 students and 756 teachers have been injured – with numbers growing each day. At least 60 per cent of educational facilities, including 13 public libraries, have been damaged or destroyed and at least 625,000 students have no access to education. Another 195 heritage sites, 227 mosques and three churches have also been damaged or destroyed, including the Central Archives of Gaza, containing 150 years of history. Israa University, the last remaining university in Gaza was demolished by the Israeli military on 17 January 2024. Without safe schools, women and girls face additional risks, including gender-based violence. More than 1 million Palestinian children in Gaza are now in need of mental health and psychosocial support and will suffer the trauma of this war throughout their lives. 

“The persistent, callous attacks on educational infrastructure in Gaza have a devastating long-term impact on the fundamental rights of people to learn and freely express themselves, depriving yet another generation of Palestinians of their future,” the experts said. “Students with international scholarships are being prevented from attending university abroad,” they added. 

“When schools are destroyed, so too are hopes and dreams.” 

Even UN schools sheltering forcibly displaced civilians are being bombed, including in Israeli military-designated “safe zones.” 

“These attacks are not isolated incidents. They present a systematic pattern of violence aimed at dismantling the very foundation of Palestinian society,” the experts said. 

The experts called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and to protect educational institutions, teachers, and students. “We remind Israel in particular of its obligations to comply with the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice on 26 January,” they said.  

The experts said they were equally appalled by the annihilation of the cultural sector in Gaza, through the destruction of libraries and cultural heritage sites. “The foundations of Palestinian society are being reduced to rubble, and their history is being erased.”

"Attacks on education cannot be tolerated. The international community must send a clear message that those who target schools and universities will be held responsible," the experts said, adding that accountability for these violations includes an obligation to finance and rebuild the education system.

"We owe it to the children of Gaza to uphold their right to education and pave the way for a more peaceful and just future."

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/04/un-experts-deeply-concerned-over-scholasticide-gaza

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