Photo: AP/Majdi Mohammed
Jakarta - Recent military movements in the West Bank have left residents of Palestinian refugee camps in a state of fear and uncertainty. Israeli tanks have reportedly moved into the region, specifically targeting areas such as Jenin, where significant destruction has been observed.
According to Reuters reports, the presence of these tanks marks the first time in decades that Israel has deployed such armored vehicles within the West Bank. This action comes closely on the heels of a ceasefire agreement following a prolonged conflict in Gaza that lasted 15 months.
The situation in Jenin has deteriorated dramatically, with many residents fleeing their homes. The extensive military operation by Israeli forces, which began just a day after the Gaza ceasefire was reached, has led to the evacuation of approximately 40,000 Palestinians from Jenin and nearby Tulkarem. Streets that were once bustling with life are now eerily quiet as military actions reshape the landscape.
Jenin's municipality spokesperson, Basheer Matahen, compared the ongoing situation to the devastation seen in Jabalia, a refugee camp in northern Gaza that was heavily impacted by similar military operations. "Jenin is a repeat of what happened in Jabalia," he stated emphatically. "The camp is no longer livable.”
Israeli defense officials have confirmed that around 12 tanks have been involved in the destruction of homes and essential infrastructure in the refugee camp. Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, indicated that three refugee camps in the West Bank—Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams—are now effectively emptied of residents. He has ordered troops to prepare for a long-term military presence in these areas with the aim of preventing the return of residents and combatting what Israel describes as a resurgence of terrorism.
This military escalation is reminiscent of tactics previously employed in Gaza, raising concerns among Palestinians that a systematic "cleansing" operation may be taking shape in the West Bank. There is a palpable fear among the residents that the Israeli government is intent on carrying out irreversible changes to the demographics and identity of the region.
Hassan al-Katib, an 85-year-old resident of Jenin, articulated the sentiment many feel. “Israel wants to erase these camps and the memories associated with them, both morally and financially,” he lamented, underscoring the human cost of the present conflict. “They want to erase the names of the refugees from public consciousness.”
As military operations continue, the plight of the Palestinian people in these refugee camps remains precarious, with the international community watching closely as tensions escalate in the region.
