The occupation is changing the features of the camps in the northern West Bank by bulldozing land and demolishing homes.

The Israeli occupation army acknowledged that what it described as military operations in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams in the northern West Bank were aimed at changing the character of the camps, in light of the ongoing aggression that has been ongoing for nearly six months.

An Israeli army spokesman explained that the goal of these operations is to reconfigure the camps and transform them into open, easily accessible areas under army control.

He pointed out that this would allow the army freedom of movement to thwart military operations.

It is estimated that Israeli bulldozers completely demolished more than 600 homes in Jenin camp alone, and opened 15 roads, according to the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA).

The occupation army also continues to demolish buildings in Tulkarm camp, despite an Israeli court order to freeze the operation.

Since January 21, the Israeli army has continued its military aggression in the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps.

The Israeli aggression has completely destroyed at least 400 homes in the Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps, and partially destroyed 2,573 others. The entrances to the camps remain closed, transforming them into lifeless areas, according to official data.

Palestinian estimates indicate that the occupation has displaced approximately 40,000 Palestinians from the three camps, and has not allowed residents of Jenin camp to return to reclaim some of their property.

US official in Nour Shams

Meanwhile, US Security Coordinator for the West Bank Michael R. Wenzel visited the Nur Shams camp on Tuesday to examine the effects of the ongoing Israeli aggression, which has lasted for nearly 150 days.

Tulkarm Governor Abdullah Kamil, who accompanied the US official on his tour, told reporters that the visit comes as part of the Palestinian side's outreach to various parties, including Europe and the United States, which possess the ability to pressure Israel to halt its aggression.

Kamil added that the Palestinian goal is to return people to their homes, remove the harm they are suffering from, and rebuild the camps.

He pointed out that the Americans suggested that reconstruction begin in the Nour Shams camp, adding, "We are not against that."

The governor noted that this was the first time he had entered the camp since the start of the aggression, describing the situation there as "tragic," noting that the US coordinator "expressed his displeasure at what he saw."

Kamil also stressed the need to rehabilitate the camp's infrastructure, including sewage, water, electricity, and roads, noting Israeli threats to "bomb any building rebuilt after demolition."

The demolitions are part of the latest plan announced by the occupation authorities last May, which calls for the demolition of 106 buildings, including 58 in Tulkarm camp, comprising more than 250 housing units and dozens of commercial establishments, and 48 buildings in Nour Shams camp.

Erasing Palestinian identity

For his part, Israeli affairs expert Imad Abu Awad said that the Israeli aggression against the camps in the West Bank has objectives that go beyond security and military considerations. He explained that the occupation is not only seeking to transform the camps into neighborhoods within cities to facilitate security control, but is also working to eliminate the notion of the camp as a symbol of the Palestinian right of return and asylum, which is at the core of the Palestinian narrative.

In an interview with Al Jazeera Net, Abu Awad explained that Israel is attempting to implement an overt, rather than covert, displacement project, noting that approximately 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced from the West Bank since October 7, 2023.

He pointed out that Israel is working to reduce the Palestinian presence, as proposed by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in preparation for a second phase of Palestinian displacement. This is clearly evident in the policies of displacement, imposition of sanctions, control of land, and dismantling of camps.

In parallel with the war of extermination in Gaza, the Israeli army and settlers have escalated their attacks in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, resulting in the deaths of at least 993 Palestinians and the injury of approximately 7,000 others, according to Palestinian data.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, leaving more than 194,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing, in addition to hundreds of thousands displaced.