Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has intensified its efforts to dismantle Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank, with Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams bearing the brunt of this campaign. The scale of destruction is alarming, as thousands of residents have been uprooted from their homes due to relentless military action targeting both infrastructure and residential areas. While global focus remains largely on Gaza, the Israeli military has quietly expanded its operations to assert control and reshape the geography of the West Bank.

This expansion has been marked by a significant increase in land annexation, with territories being seized at a rate comparable to that of the total annexed over the past 24 years. A recent report reveals a military strategy aimed at securing greater operational freedom for Israeli forces while altering the security landscape for long-term control. In Jenin alone, 200 homes have been demolished and five kilometers of new roads constructed to facilitate military movement. Similar actions in Nur Shams and Tulkarm have resulted in the destruction of homes and the building of new pathways aimed at enhancing troop mobility.

This strategy is part of a broader plan to fragment Palestinian territories, beginning with the refugee camps. Although plans for 18 additional camps have been outlined, they have yet to be implemented. Analysts suggest that the recent escalation may have been prompted by setbacks in Gaza, leading to a shift in focus toward the West Bank. Military expert Qasid Mahmoud observes that the deployment of heavy artillery not only targets armed groups but also serves to intimidate Palestinian civilians, positioning them as the primary victims of this campaign.

As the military offensive continues, many Palestinians are being displaced towards urban areas already strained by the presence of Israeli settlements. Mahmoud warns that this will exacerbate existing hardships, with increased military checkpoints and limited job opportunities pushing communities into smaller, isolated enclaves. The ongoing demolition of refugee camps in the West Bank represents a calculated effort to reshape the region and enforce military dominance, leading to a profound restructuring of Palestinian life and dire implications for the future of these communities.