UN Warns of Potential ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ by Israel in West Bank Refugee Camps

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has issued a report detailing the forced displacement of all Palestinian residents from three refugee camps in the West Bank during 2025 by Israeli forces, who have since prevented their return. The report, titled ‘Destruction of Palestinian Refugee Camps in the Northern West Bank,’ indicates that the Israeli army, police, and other forces engaged in civilian killings, widespread destruction of hundreds of homes, damage to roads and vital infrastructure, and the severance of water and electricity supplies. Access for humanitarian aid to the camps of Jenin, Nur al-Shams, and Tulkarm was also obstructed.

By October 2025, Israeli operations resulted in the destruction or damage of 52 percent of buildings in Jenin camp, 48 percent in Nur al-Shams camp, and 36 percent in Tulkarm camp. The extensive, prolonged, and systematic expulsion of over 33,000 Palestinians from these refugee camps during the ‘Iron Wall’ operation has generated serious concerns regarding the commission of crimes against humanity. The report emphasizes that the use of airstrikes, armored bulldozers, and targeted explosions to render the camps uninhabitable, compelling residents to flee and preventing their return, violates international law. This constitutes ‘collective punishment’ and raises significant concerns about ‘ethnic cleansing.’

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the manner in which the ‘Iron Wall’ operation was conducted suggests an objective of maximally displacing Palestinians and creating conditions for further illegal Israeli settlements, a further breach of international law. He added, “Israel must end its 59-year occupation of Palestinian territories and cease any efforts aimed at the forced displacement of more Palestinians and undermining the geographical continuity of a future Palestinian state.”