Key Points
- The
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) arrested a terrorist in Jenin who was
planning to establish a militant network.
- The
arrest occurred amid ongoing Israeli military operations in the West Bank,
particularly in Jenin refugee camp.
- Israeli
military continues demolition of Palestinian homes in Jenin, with plans to
destroy dozens more.
- The
military operation, dubbed "Operation Iron Wall," has led to
extensive displacement and destruction.
- International
and Palestinian human rights groups condemn the demolitions and forced
displacement.
- The
Israeli Supreme Court recently approved mass demolitions in Jenin refugee
camp.
- The
conflict has resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties and severe humanitarian
consequences.
- Israeli
forces have declared Jenin and other refugee camps closed military zones,
restricting access to residents.
- Diplomatic
delegations visiting Jenin have come under fire from Israeli forces.
- The
situation in Jenin is part of a broader escalation in the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict since late 2023.
What led to the arrest of a terrorist planning a network
in Jenin?
According to reports from Anadolu Agency and other sources,
the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) arrested a terrorist operative in Jenin who
was reportedly planning to establish a militant network within the area. This
arrest is part of ongoing Israeli military efforts to suppress armed groups in
the northern West Bank, especially in the Jenin refugee camp, which has been a
focal point of Israeli security operations since January 2025.
The IDF’s actions come amid heightened tensions and a broad
military campaign known as "Operation Iron Wall," which has involved
the deployment of hundreds of soldiers, tanks, bulldozers, and air support in
Jenin and surrounding areas. The operation aims to dismantle militant
infrastructure and prevent attacks against Israeli targets.
What is the scale and impact of Israeli military
operations in Jenin?
As reported by Amnesty International and the Palestinian
Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), the Israeli military has conducted what has
been described as the most destructive operation in the West Bank in decades.
Since January 21, 2025, Israeli forces have besieged Jenin refugee camp,
declaring it a closed military zone and preventing residents from accessing
their homes or belongings.
Hundreds of homes have been destroyed or rendered
uninhabitable. In March, Israel announced plans to demolish 66 homes in Jenin
refugee camp, with further demolition orders issued for nearly 90 buildings
comprising around 300 residential units in June, as authorised by the Israeli
Supreme Court. Bulldozers and explosives have been used to demolish
structures, while roads and infrastructure have been cleared or altered to
facilitate military movement.
The destruction has displaced approximately 16,600
Palestinians from Jenin alone. Many residents have been forced to flee under
threat of death or violence, with some seeking shelter in overcrowded hospitals
or makeshift accommodations.
How have Palestinians and human rights groups responded
to the demolitions and displacement?
Palestinian officials and human rights organisations have
condemned the demolitions and forced displacement as violations of
international humanitarian law. Bashir Matahin, Jenin municipality’s public
relations officer, described the Israeli military’s actions as a deliberate
attempt to reduce the camp’s population and maintain a long-term presence in
the area.
Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab verified
extensive video evidence showing the destruction of civilian property,
including homes, shops, and personal belongings. Residents have shared
harrowing testimonies of losing their homes and possessions. For example, a
mother of six from Jenin refugee camp described receiving photos of her home
being razed, recognising her children’s bed sheets amidst the rubble.
Al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organisation, reported
that between January and May 2025, Israeli forces killed 91 Palestinians in the
northern West Bank, including 40 in Jenin, and destroyed at least 430
structures. The organisation highlighted the use of heavy weaponry, snipers,
airstrikes, and bulldozers in what it called a "vicious, large-scale
military assault".
What legal and judicial developments have occurred
regarding the demolitions?
On June 17, 2025, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected a
petition filed by Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel
– seeking to halt sweeping demolitions in Jenin refugee camp. The Court
authorised the military to proceed with the destruction of nearly 90 civilian
buildings housing hundreds of displaced Palestinian families.
The Court accepted the military’s justification that
demolitions were necessary to ensure "freedom of movement" for
Israeli forces, despite the camp being currently empty and no active combat
taking place at the time of the ruling. Adalah’s legal director, Dr Suhad Bishara,
argued that the demolitions constitute a grave breach of international
humanitarian law and called for urgent judicial review of the cumulative impact
of these demolitions.
How has the military operation affected the humanitarian
situation in Jenin?
The ongoing military operation has precipitated a severe
humanitarian crisis. The Israeli army’s designation of Jenin and other refugee
camps such as Nur Shams and Tulkarem as closed military zones has prevented
residents from returning to their homes or retrieving belongings. Witnesses
report Israeli forces shooting at civilians attempting to access their
properties.
Hospitals and shelters have become overcrowded as displaced
families seek refuge. Many residents face shortages of food, water, medical
supplies, and shelter. The destruction of infrastructure, including roads and
buildings, further complicates relief efforts.
A poignant example is the story of Huda Bani Gharra, a Jenin
refugee camp resident who was forced to take refuge in a hospital with her sick
aunt during the initial days of the assault. They remained stranded without
shelter or medication, highlighting the dire conditions faced by many
Palestinians amid the military offensive.
What has been the international response to the situation
in Jenin?
The international community has expressed concern over the
escalating violence and humanitarian impact in Jenin. On 21 May 2025, a
diplomatic delegation from over 20 countries, including the UK, France, Canada,
China, and Russia, visiting Jenin refugee camp came under fire from Israeli
soldiers, underscoring the volatility of the situation.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) described
the operation as "by far the longest and most destructive operation in the
occupied West Bank since the second intifada in the 2000s". International
human rights organisations continue to call for an end to demolitions, respect
for international law, and unfettered humanitarian access.
What are the broader implications of the Israeli
operations in Jenin?
The military campaign in Jenin reflects a broader pattern of
Israeli security policy in the occupied West Bank, marked by repeated
incursions, home demolitions, and displacement of Palestinians. The operation
has exacerbated tensions and undermined prospects for peace, fueling resentment
and resistance among Palestinians.
The destruction of homes and infrastructure, alongside the
loss of life and livelihoods, deepens the humanitarian crisis and contributes
to the ongoing Nakba — the displacement and dispossession of Palestinians —
which Al-Haq describes as a continuous effort to erase Palestinian presence.
As the Israeli military maintains a heavy presence and plans
further demolitions, the future of Jenin’s Palestinian residents remains
uncertain, with many fearing permanent displacement and loss of their
community.
The arrest of the terrorist planning a network in Jenin is
thus set against a backdrop of intense military operations, widespread
destruction, and profound human suffering. The situation demands urgent
international attention and efforts to protect civilian lives and uphold human
rights in the occupied territories