Tulkarem: The Israeli occupation army has ordered more than 12,000 Palestinians from the Tulkarem refugee camp in the northern West Bank to vacate their homes and relocate to nearby areas, according to local residents. This forced displacement has been carried out under intimidation, heightening tensions in the region.
According to Jordan News Agency, Faisal Salama, head of the Popular Committee for Services of Tulkarm Camp, reported that education services have been suspended, affecting around 2,000 students who are enrolled in the four schools operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Health services in the camp have also come to a standstill, exacerbating the difficult living conditions for the residents.
For the past 30 days, the Israeli military has maintained a blockade on the camp, causing extensive damage to homes, streets, and essential services, forcing residents to leave under threat. More than 40 buildings, including 100 apartments, have been completely demolished, over 10 homes have been burned, more than 300 commercial stores have been destroyed, and hundreds of homes have been partially damaged or vandalized during the ongoing operation, as per Salama’s statement.
Military bulldozers have opened a road that cuts through four neighborhoods of the Tulkarem camp, leveling 26 buildings and damaging nearby structures and facilities. This action has led to severe infrastructure damage, targeting power, electricity, sanitation utilities, as well as communications and internet services.
Salama further stated that the occupation authorities are aiming to achieve political and media objectives beyond security and military goals. These objectives include erasing the issue of refugees and the symbolism of the camp by altering its architectural and demographic nature, emptying it of its population or significantly reducing their numbers, and destroying and burning as many homes as possible, while cutting basic services to make the camp uninhabitable.