Khalil Al-Tafkaji, a specialist in settlement affairs, has revealed that Israel’s military operations in the northern West Bank are part of a broader plan to dismantle Palestinian refugee camps and nullify the right of return. In an exclusive statement to *Shehab Agency*, Al-Tafkaji explained that the ongoing demolitions and displacements in cities like Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus aim to empty these camps permanently.  

“The current Israeli policy is not just about settlements,” Al-Tafkaji said. “It’s a systematic effort to erase the refugee issue by destroying homes and displacing residents.” He noted that these actions align with Israel’s attempts to undermine the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which plays a crucial role in supporting Palestinian refugees.  

Al-Tafkaji drew parallels between the current operations in the West Bank and the 1970s campaigns in Gaza, led by Ariel Sharon, which involved demolishing homes and widening streets to tighten military control. However, he emphasized that targeting refugee camps is distinct from traditional settlement expansion, as these areas are densely populated by Palestinians and located within cities, making them unsuitable for settlement projects.  

The West Bank has witnessed months of intense Israeli military aggression, with repeated incursions, drone strikes, assassinations, and widespread home demolitions in refugee camps. These operations have imposed a suffocating siege on cities and camps, leading to the killing of dozens of Palestinians, injuries to hundreds, and the displacement of thousands of families. Infrastructure, including roads, water, and electricity networks, has been severely damaged.  

Al-Tafkaji’s analysis underscores Israel’s long-term strategy to eliminate the refugee issue, a cornerstone of the Palestinian struggle. As tensions escalate, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and protect the rights of Palestinian refugees, whose very existence is under threat.