Thousands of West Bank Palestinians Face Illegal Evictions

West Bank Palestinians are facing severe displacement as military operations continue to escalate. One year ago, Israeli soldiers forced Leila E., a 54-year-old Palestinian refugee, to vacate her home in the Jenin refugee camp. Masked soldiers, armed with machine guns, entered her home, leaving her terrified. Leila’s experience reflects a broader, ongoing trend affecting tens of thousands of residents across multiple refugee camps.

Operation Iron Wall and Its Human Impact In January 2025, the forced removal in Jenin was echoed in the Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps during Operation Iron Wall, an Israeli military initiative displacing approximately 32,000 residents. Despite a temporary ceasefire in Gaza just days before, the operation targeted entire civilian populations, causing the largest displacement in the West Bank since 1967.

Israeli authorities claim these actions targeted militants , yet the wholesale displacement of innocent civilians remains unjustified. Satellite imagery analysis shows that within six months, the Israeli military demolished 850 homes and structures, while courts routinely dismissed petitions challenging the demolitions. Residents, including elderly and disabled individuals, have been forced to seek refuge in communal spaces, mosques, or with friends, facing continued danger and uncertainty.

Legal and Human Rights Violations Under international law , evacuations in occupied territories must meet narrow conditions of urgent military necessity and be temporary. Operation Iron Wall fails to meet these criteria, likely constituting forced displacement and a war crime. Human Rights Watch identifies senior officials—including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz—as potentially responsible for these violations.

Reports indicate that Israeli leaders, including Major General Avi Bluth and Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have framed the operations as a means to fundamentally alter the population structure, effectively endorsing displacement and ethnic cleansing. International bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), have been urged to investigate these actions and hold perpetrators accountable.

The Human Toll on Refugees Forced displacement has severely impacted families across Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams. Individuals like Nadim M., a 60-year-old Tulkarem resident, recount being restrained, searched, and ordered to leave without guidance. Homes, stores, and public facilities were looted and demolished, while the elderly, children, and disabled faced extreme hardship navigating destroyed streets.

The ongoing inability to return home highlights the systematic nature of the evictions. Israeli officials continue to enforce demolitions, showing no signs of allowing displaced populations to reclaim their properties. The humanitarian impact of these operations underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention.

Key Takeaways & Next Steps Operation Iron Wall represents widespread forced displacement in violation of international law

Displaced populations remain unable to return, marking the largest West Bank displacement since 1967

International sanctions and ICC enforcement are necessary to prevent further abuses

Monitoring and reporting by organizations like Human Rights Watch remain critical to document violations

Governments must provide humanitarian aid, protect civilians, and pressure Israel to allow safe return

Immediate action is needed to safeguard Palestinian civilians and ensure accountability for these violations. Addressing the forced displacement of West Bank residents is essential to uphold human rights and prevent further crimes against humanity.