More than 20,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank following an Israeli military offensive, a Palestinian official said on Sunday. Jenin Deputy Governor Mansour al-Saadi told Voice of Palestine radio that Israeli forces have "entirely destroyed the Jenin refugee camp," forcing residents to flee, leaving behind their homes, documents, and personal belongings. The large-scale displacement has left thousands seeking shelter in other cities across the West Bank, as the destruction caused by the Israeli assault has made their return impossible. Saadi described the attack as part of a broader attempt to erase the refugee issue entirely. The Palestinian official characterized the Israeli offensive on Jenin city and its refugee camp as "collective punishment," targeting nearly 400,000 residents. He also highlighted the severe economic losses resulting from the ongoing assault, in addition to the disruption of the education system. Saadi called on international human rights and legal organizations to enter the camp and document the extent of the destruction, warning that bodies of the dead and injured are likely still buried under the rubble of destroyed homes. The Israeli escalation follows a broader military offensive launched on Jan. 21 in Jenin and its refugee camp, as well as surrounding towns, killing at least 25 people, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The army expanded its operations into Tulkarem on Jan. 27, killing five more people, and launched another assault on Feb. 2 in the town of Tammun and the Far'a refugee camp in Tubas. The escalation in the West Bank comes just weeks after a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal was reached in Gaza on Jan. 19, following over 15 months of Israeli bombardment that has killed nearly 48,200 Palestinians and left the enclave devastated. Since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 906 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank, according to the Health Ministry. — Agencies
