Jenin Refugee Camp in Ruins Following Israeli military operation
JENIN,West Bank – the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank lies in extensive ruins following a large-scale Israeli military operation,raising concerns about the future of Palestinian refugee status and cultural identity. The operation, dubbed “Operation Iron Wall,” concluded recently, but Palestinian officials report Israeli authorities have provided no timeline for withdrawal and are blocking access for humanitarian and assessment teams.
The operation involved notable destruction of infrastructure and property within the camp, near Jenin city. palestinian Authority Security Forces spokesman Brig. Gen.Anwar Rajab stated, “what’s happening in the camp is not a necessary security prerogative. There’s nothing requiring the Israelis to do what they’re doing,” adding that Palestinian forces are capable of maintaining security and Israel‘s actions undermine their authority.
Analysts and aid workers suggest the Israeli assault may be part of a broader strategy to dismantle the camp’s identity as a refugee haven and integrate it into the surrounding urban landscape.Roland Friedrich, director of affairs in the West Bank for UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, noted Israeli officials have indicated a desire to eliminate the “geographic expression of the refugee issue” following the operation.UNRWA’s return to the camp has been blocked by Israeli authorities.
The Jenin camp, founded in 1953, has long been a symbol of the Palestinian refugee experience.The Freedom Theater, established in 2006 by Zakaria Zubeidi, a former Palestinian fighter, along with an Israeli actor and a Swedish activist, was a cultural hub within the camp. A former detainee, identified as Sheta, recently visited the camp’s entrance after his release from Israeli custody, expressing his determination to continue nonviolent resistance thru cultural work.
Sheta described experiences of abuse during his imprisonment, alleging routine beatings, strip searches, and humiliation by Israeli soldiers. He acknowledged a shift in priorities among some residents, with some questioning the value of nonviolent methods. However, he emphasized the importance of preserving Palestinian cultural identity, stating, “If you lose your cultural front, you lose your identity, your heritage, your roots with this land.” He added, “That at least proves to me my work annoys them, no?”
