The Israeli military's expanded demolition of homes in the West Bank has left thousands displaced, with families desperately trying to salvage belongings amid escalating tensions. Former residents, such as Jumaa Zawayda, express their anguish and unwavering resolve to return despite the destruction caused by military actions.
Despair and Resilience: Palestinian Families Face Growing Displacement in West Bank
Despair and Resilience: Palestinian Families Face Growing Displacement in West Bank
As Israel intensifies demolition operations in the West Bank, families like Jumaa Zawayda’s grapple with loss and determination to reclaim their homes amidst ongoing conflict.
On the night Israeli forces stormed Jenin refugee camp, ordering its 20,000 residents to evacuate, 66-year-old Jumaa Zawayda stood his ground. "I had to stay," he declared, determined to protect his home from damage. After three harrowing days marked by relentless gunfire and chaos, Jumaa felt compelled to leave, joining countless others displaced from their homes.
Three months later, he gazes down upon what remains of the camp, now a ghost town, but the uncertainty of its fate weighs heavily on him. Despite rumors of his home being demolished, Jumaa struggles to confirm the fate of his building, echoing the desperation felt by so many families in the aftermath of Israel's military campaign against Palestinian armed factions.
Jumaa, the father of nine who once worked in construction, has sought refuge in a student accommodations facility after spending time in a school-turned-shelter. Before hostilities escalated in Gaza in October 2023, Israel was already conducting military operations against armed groups in the West Bank, intensifying after Israeli forces attempted to dismantle the armed groups which have gained traction in areas such as Jenin.
The Israeli military's strategy, described by Defense Minister Israel Katz as ridding these "nests of terror," includes mass demolitions of residential buildings with little transparency. The United Nations' Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, reports that at least 260 buildings and around 800 apartments have been destroyed in recent months, leaving approximately 42,000 Palestinians displaced across the region.
In the wake of violence, the number of fatalities has increased drastically, with Israeli forces claiming the elimination of numerous militants while Palestinian health officials report substantial civilian casualties. The ongoing cycle of violence has led to increased tensions, with the Israeli military aiming to disrupt the operations of armed groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, who have taken roots in these crowded camps.
With limited access due to military blockades, information about the precise extent of the destruction remains challenging to obtain. Jumaa is among the Palestinians allowed brief returns to salvage essentials from their wrecked homes. In his case, he was able to retrieve his UN ID card and his beloved family dog before further demolitions took place.
Despite the devastation and uncertainty, Jumaa remains resolute in his desire to return. "If they won't let me rebuild, I will set up a tent in its place," he affirms, evoking the continuous displacement experienced by his family since 1948. The resilience displayed by Jumaa and others like him symbolizes a profound human spirit amidst the ongoing turmoil in the West Bank.
