The Israeli military’s large-scale operation in the West Bank last month has led to the displacement of around 40,000 Palestinians, marking the highest level of displacement in the region since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, according to experts. The operation, targeting militant groups in cities such as Jenin, Tulkarem, and areas near Tubas, has forced many Palestinians to seek shelter with relatives, in schools, mosques, or even makeshift structures like farm sheds.
While the Israeli military claims that the operation is aimed at curbing growing militancy in these areas, Palestinians view it as a tactic to forcefully displace them and extend Israeli control over regions administered by the Palestinian Authority. The displaced individuals include descendants of those who fled or were expelled during the 1948 Nakba, the mass exodus surrounding the establishment of Israel.
As the military’s campaign continues, many displaced Palestinians, though some have returned home, remain homeless after weeks of operations. The current displacement surpasses that during Israel’s 2002 military campaign in the West Bank. In the ongoing operations, buildings and infrastructure have been demolished, with at least 23 buildings confirmed destroyed by the Israeli military. Humanitarian groups, such as the United Nations, have reported extensive damage to water systems and sanitation infrastructure, leaving many areas uninhabitable.
Some displaced individuals claim they were directly ordered to leave their homes, while the Israeli military insists that evacuations were voluntary. Critics, however, cite political rhetoric from Israeli officials, including those in the far-right government, who have voiced support for the displacement of Palestinians.
The situation in the West Bank reflects broader concerns about Israel’s long-term control over the territory, with efforts to increase Israeli settlement construction and restrictions on Palestinian movement intensifying since the current Israeli government took office in 2022. This has raised fears that these actions may signal the normalization of permanent displacement policies, fundamentally altering the political and demographic balance in the region.