Updated: 06/05/2025 – 17:57 GMT+2
In a scene of urgency and fear, families are evacuating the Nur Shams refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as they prepare for a series of demolitions scheduled by Israeli forces. Many have been seen strapping mattresses to the roofs of their vehicles, seeking safety from the impending destruction.
Widespread destruction and displacement
According to Nihad al Shawish, the head of the camp’s committee, Israeli forces have already demolished 120 homes in the area, with an additional 20 structures identified for destruction in the latest military operation. This aggressive action has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of residents, affecting long-established Palestinian communities in both Tulkarem and Nur Shams.
The situation worsened in Masafer Yatta, where bulldozers demolished a Bedouin village, justifying their actions by citing illegal construction within a designated military zone. This demolition occurred in a region where radical Israeli settlers have been expanding their presence, establishing a network of outposts that is increasingly encroaching on Palestinian land.
Contention between settlers and the Palestinian community
Palestinians claim that these settlers operate with the implicit approval of the Israeli state, which not only facilitates home demolitions but also rarely holds settlers accountable for violence against Palestinian individuals. The ongoing tensions highlight a persistent conflict over land and rights, with many fearing for their homes and futures in the face of such aggressive military actions.
“The settlers operate with the tacit consent of the Israeli state, which carries out home demolitions and rarely prosecutes settlers for instances of violence against Palestinians.”