Israeli arson, bulldozers and forced labour in the West Bank's Tulkarem

"Amid escalating violence by settlers from illegal Israeli settlements across the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military has intensified its efforts to forcibly displace the tens of thousands of Palestinians who live in the Nur Shams and Tulkarem refugee camps. An unprecedented ground assault, replete with bulldozers, arson, and sniper fire, has made life impossible for the people there, most of whom have been pushed out to shelters or other villages."

"Since January, the Israeli military's violent Operation Iron Wall has displaced some 32,000 residents of the Tulkarem, Nur Shams and Jenin refugee camps, according to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). The Israeli army, which has designated both camps as closed military areas, is likely to stay there for months and fire on anyone who enters. Palestinian families have submitted more than 400 requests to Israel to retrieve their belongings from their homes, but none have been approved, according to the UN."

Grey apartment blocks, abandoned cars, and burned shops mark the outskirts of Nur Shams and Tulkarem refugee camps as Israeli soldiers and settlers escalate violence. Bulldozers, arson, sniper fire, and ground assaults have made life untenable, pushing most residents into shelters or other villages. Soldiers occupy rooftops, aim rifles and laser sights at unarmed residents, and patrol under searchlights. Since January, Operation Iron Wall has displaced some 32,000 people; camps are designated closed military areas with ongoing threat of fire. Palestinian families have filed hundreds of retrieval requests for belongings, but none have been approved.

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