Displaced Palestinians Cling to Hope of Return Amidst West Bank Camp Destruction

Fuad Abu Salam, a resident of the Tulkarem refugee camp, now lives in a rented apartment in the Thinnabeh suburb, gazing daily at his former home. His two-storey building, once part of a larger family dwelling, was partially destroyed when Israeli forces launched the "Iron Wall" operation in January 2025, initially targeting Jenin and later expanding to Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps. The operation led to the forced displacement of entire camp populations, with the United Nations reporting that 33,362 Palestinians remain displaced from these three camps. By October 2025, significant portions of the camps' structures were destroyed or damaged: 52 percent in Jenin, 48 percent in Nur Shams, and 36 percent in Tulkarem. The Israeli operation also devastated hundreds of homes, roads, and essential infrastructure, including water and electricity networks, while humanitarian aid was cut off. During this period, Israeli forces killed 102 Palestinians, including 21 children, accounting for 46 percent of all Palestinian fatalities in the West Bank during that time.

Recently, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the government to provide a timeline for the return of displaced individuals to the three camps, setting a deadline of November 23 for a response. However, Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich rejected the ruling, warning that residents' return could facilitate the rebuilding of what he termed "terror infrastructure." Defence Minister Israel Katz also opposed the court's intervention, citing security concerns and the need for continued military presence.

Fuad, a greenhouse installer, was among the hundreds of families forced to flee. Despite enduring harsh living conditions in temporary accommodations, the hope of returning home persists. His current rented home in Thinnabeh, which overlooks the camp, offers him the solace of seeing his destroyed home from afar. "If a decision were issued right now allowing us to return, I would go back immediately without a moment’s hesitation," he stated. His home suffered extensive damage, with over 80 percent rendered uninhabitable, yet he plans to rebuild using the rubble, vowing, "I will never waver in my resolve to return, even if it means pitching a tent over the ruins and living there."

Mohamad Ararawi, an 18-year-old from the Jenin refugee camp, shared a similar plight. His family of 40, who lived in a five-story building, fled their razed home, seeking refuge with relatives. They endured difficult conditions in an unfinished apartment before making it somewhat habitable. The desire to return to the camp, even with its damaged infrastructure and lack of amenities, remains paramount.

Nihad Shawish, from the Nur Shams Camp Popular Services Committee, highlighted the immense challenges facing residents' return. Approximately 400 homes were destroyed, and about 100 were burned during the Israeli army's presence. Even undamaged homes suffered severe damage to doors, windows, and interior facilities, with some collapses affecting neighboring structures. Approximately 10,900 camp residents remain displaced.

Faisal Salameh, an official with the Tulkarem Camp Popular Committee, reported that over 2,000 housing units were destroyed, and about 90 percent of the camp's homes sustained partial damage, rendering them uninhabitable. He described the camp as having been turned into an environment that drives residents away due to widespread destruction and reconstruction bans in areas converted into roads. Despite these dire conditions, displaced residents are eager to return as soon as permitted.

The Israeli Supreme Court's ruling has opened a dialogue about the return of displaced persons, but the rejection by government ministers casts doubt on its implementation. Mohamad Halaseh, an expert on Israeli affairs, noted that the Israeli right-wing's actions aim to undermine the judiciary's legitimacy, leading to a disregard for court rulings, as seen in previous cases. He suggested that strong political opposition to the return of Palestinians to these camps makes the implementation of court rulings unlikely.