Recent military campaigns by Israel in the West Bank have led to the displacement of approximately 40,000 Palestinians, marking the largest civilian displacement in the region since the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, according to reports from The New York Times.
Israeli operations targeting armed Palestinian groups in three northern West Bank areas have forced thousands to abandon their homes. Many have sought refuge with friends and relatives or found temporary shelter in wedding halls, schools, mosques, municipal buildings, and even farm sheds.
The Israeli military has stated that these operations aim to combat rising terrorism within Palestinian territories, claiming to target individuals responsible for, or planning, attacks on Israeli civilians. However, many Palestinians view these actions as a systematic effort to permanently displace them and tighten control over areas governed by the Palestinian Authority.
The United Nations has reported extensive damage to essential water and sanitation facilities in four refugee camps, with some drinking water systems reportedly contaminated by sewage. While about 3,000 displaced individuals have managed to return home, the majority remain without shelter.
Experts highlight that the current displacement crisis is far more significant than similar events during the 2002 operations, when Israeli troops conducted raids in various cities amid the second intifada, which began as protests and escalated into increased Palestinian attacks against Israel. The ongoing situation continues to raise serious humanitarian concerns as the region grapples with the implications of these military actions.
