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.
Versions
English: PDF
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