Jenin, West Bank — The looming threat of significant demolition has enveloped the Jenin refugee camp as families prepare to evacuate what is, for many, their only home. As Israeli forces announced their intentions to demolish up to 66 residential buildings, residents and human rights activists worry about the impact these actions will have on around 21,000 displaced persons and their livelihoods.
In the early hours of March 20, 2025, Israeli troops descended on Jenin camp, creating barriers and checkpoints, making traversing even the most mundane paths a challenge for locals. Among those attempting to reclaim access to their homes is Um Yazan Al-Saadi, a 63-year-old resident who was forced to vacate her home four months earlier amid escalating tensions between Israeli forces and local fighters.
“For four months, I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, believing everything would get better. But returning to see my home demolished means everything is lost. We have nothing left at the camp,” Um Yazan recounted, battling tears as she described her deep emotional connection to her residence in the main square of the camp, known for harboring over 14,000 refugees.
The Israeli army's current plans will reportedly not only affect those within the disputed area but also ripple into nearby neighborhoods, displacing countless residents beyond the demolition orders understood to target established homes in five distinct neighborhoods. For residents like Saed Abu Atiya, who has been displaced to Wadi Burqin, uncertainty supersedes reality as he continues to grapple with the emotional weight of potentially losing everything. “The camp represents our whole life, years of memories, and works we built over time. If Israel has its way, everything we know will vanish in an instant,” he lamented.
The Municipality of Jenin has confirmed that Israeli officials communicated their timeline for the demolitions, which include plans to reshuffle the area to create new infrastructural designs like wider streets and service offices. “These demolitions mimic the larger intention behind Israel’s two-month-old 'Defensive Shield' operation, a campaign aimed at altered geography in Jenin and beyond,” argued local activists. They noted that every tearing down of these buildings translates directly to loss of community, history, and culture.
During Wednesday's demolition announcements, Al-Jazeera Palestine reported that those fortunate enough to anticipate the eviction were hastily gathering their belongings, knowing this battle would likely be their last. A pall hung over the camp as people maneuvered through makeshift barriers to collect essential items — clothing, documents, and personal memories long treasured.
Mohammad Al-Hindi, another resident, expressed his despair as he approached the committee established to manage the coming demolitions. “Before the bulldozers arrive, I want to see my home one last time. But even then, I know that prospect is slim. I’ll do whatever it takes to be allowed back in just for a moment,” he said.
The local committee emphasized the urgency of registration to coordinate with Israeli forces; addresses were documented alongside identification numbers to secure a semblance of hope for residents desperate to say goodbye to their past. Reports indicate that the Israeli military has demolished over 3,200 homes across Jenin, destroying essential lifelines for residents in just a short time.
Jenin camp now holds a staggering figure of displaced individuals exceeding 21,000, with the vast majority claiming homes that have now been torn apart. Local advocates continue to express alarm about the irreversible changes being thrust upon the community, as every demolition means another family is shattered.
As Um Yazan's resolve reflected broader sentiments among residents, she voiced the collective yearning for home, saying: “I want my family to understand that the memories reside in my heart. Each house holds a story; we may be chased away, but those stories will never disappear.”
The night before the largest wave of demolitions in years, the profound fear of loss hung in the air as residents braced for their reality. Anguish echoed against barriers that had turned their tragedy into a daily chore, a cruel reminder of the limits imposed on their lives.
The international community continues to observe the situation in Jenin with growing concern. As overtures for dialogue seem frail amidst the tension, many are left wondering what steps can be taken to alleviate this mounting humanitarian crisis. Furthermore, understanding how regional and global players can engage more constructively to address the plight of displaced families is essential.
As the dawn of March 20 rapidly approaches, one thing remains certain: the legacy of the Jenin refugee camp, a repository of lives, histories, and memories, lies precariously on the brink of oblivion. Residents cling to any glimmer of hope even as their world faces relentless erasure.
