Israeli occupation forces continued their large-scale demolition campaign in the Tulkarem refugee camp on Wednesday, razing homes and infrastructure in what rights groups are calling a systematic effort to forcibly displace Palestinians from the northern West Bank.

Eyewitnesses reported the presence of military bulldozers flattening residential areas, while Governor Abdallah Kamil described the camp as a “ghost town inhabited only by snipers,” citing the destruction of 106 homes and 104 buildings since January.

The demolitions are part of a broader Israeli military operation that has entered its 162nd consecutive day, making it the most sustained assault on the camp since the Second Intifada.

Despite a temporary freeze issued by Israel’s Supreme Court on July 2, the army resumed demolitions under a revised ruling that permits action in cases of “urgent military necessity.” Legal experts from Adalah argue that the justification is baseless, as the camp is largely empty and poses no immediate threat.

According to B’Tselem, over 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced from Tulkarem, Nur Shams, and Jenin camps in 2025 alone, with many now living in schools, mosques, and agricultural fields without access to basic services.

Residents attempting to retrieve belongings from homes marked for demolition have faced live fire, detentions, and restricted access, with only 54 families briefly allowed to re-enter under tight military control.

The Israeli military claims the demolitions are necessary to ensure freedom of movement for its forces and to dismantle what it calls “terrorist infrastructure.” However, rights groups and local officials say the campaign amounts to collective punishment and a violation of international law.

The Palestinian Authority and humanitarian organizations have struggled to provide adequate relief, as the siege and destruction have overwhelmed local capacity. “We don’t want handouts,” said a displaced woman from Nur Shams. “We want to return to our homes”.

The demolitions have also sparked international concern, with fears that Israel is replicating its Gaza war tactics in the West Bank. Analysts warn that the expansion of illegal settlements and the militarization of refugee camps could trigger a prolonged regional escalation.

Let me know if you’d like a visual timeline of the Tulkarem demolitions or a breakdown of legal challenges filed by human rights groups.

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