UN raises crimes-against-humanity concerns over the emptying of three West Bank camps
The UN Human Rights Office reported that Israel’s Operation Iron Wall displaced the entire populations of three refugee camps and that residents remained barred from returning. It said the prolonged displacement of more than 33,000 people raised serious concerns of the crime against humanity of forcible transfer. The report detailed home demolitions and cuts to basic services in Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarm. Israel said it spread misinformation.
Geopolitics··Evening
Expelled residents remain unable to return
A UN Human Rights Office report published Friday said Israeli forces forcibly displaced the entire Palestinian populations of the Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarm refugee camps in January and February 2025. Residents expelled during Operation Iron Wall were still being prevented from returning, it said. UNRWA’s July figures put the number remaining displaced from the three camps at 33,362. The report stressed the prolonged and systematic nature of their displacement.[1], [2]
Homes demolished and basic services cut
The report said the operation killed civilians, destroyed hundreds of homes, cut water and electricity and blocked humanitarian access. Israeli forces also went door to door forcing residents out, it said. Some displaced Palestinians told the UN that Israeli officers had said there would be no more camps and that they should go to Jordan. The office assessed that the actions appeared to amount to collective punishment and raised concerns of ethnic cleansing.[1], [2]
Concerns over the crime of forcible transfer
The UN said displacement of more than 33,000 refugees on this scale and for this length of time raised serious concerns of the crime against humanity of forcible transfer. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said the conduct of the operation suggested an aim to expel as many Palestinians as possible and make room for new Israeli settlements. Israel rejected the report as misinformation.[1], [2]
