Uncensored Update: the Suffering of Palestinians in Northern Cisjordania
Council Urges Commission to Act on Implementation of Fresh Measures
In the grim theater of conflict in northern Cisjordania, the Palestinian populace has suffered a brutal wave of forced displacement, courtesy of the ruthless Israeli military operation named "Operation Iron Wall". This operation began on January 21, 2025, and has resulted in the forced displacement of a staggering 42,000 residents, primarily from refugee camps in Jenin and Tulkarem and surrounding areas[2]. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has indicated that they intend to maintain a long-term presence in these areas, effectively preventing the return of the displaced[2].
Outside of the military operations, the destruction of homes and infrastructure has persisted. Between January 1 and April 21, 2025, a staggering 566 structures were demolished, leading to the displacement of over 680 people[2]. This represents a 45% increase in demolitions and a 58% increase in displacements compared to the same period in 2024[2].
Forced displacement often lurks hand-in-hand with other hardships faced by Palestinians, including disrupted access to healthcare, financial distress, and limited access to essential services like water[2]. Indeed, chronic illnesses such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes are prevalent among those served by Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) mobile clinics[2].
Global Witness and Action
The global community has responded to this humanitarian crisis in various ways. For instance, MSF teams have provided primary healthcare to more than 2,000 patients in public locations and displaced person shelters around Tulkarem and Jenin from February to April 2025[2]. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has documented increased settler violence, with 591 incidents resulting in casualties or property damage since the beginning of 2025[5].
Despite these efforts, the situation remains perilous. Displaced individuals face numerous hurdles in accessing basic services due to ongoing violence, movement restrictions, and scarcities in healthcare facilities[2]. The international community continues to demand an end to the hostilities and the protection of civilians, highlighting the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Persistent Challenges
- Continued Violence and Displacement: The surge in settler violence and military operations continues to displace Palestinians, with over 33,000 people still unable to return to their homes in Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarm refugee camps[5].
- Healthcare Access: Chronic medication shortages and restricted access to healthcare facilities exacerbate health issues among displaced populations[2].
- Global Advocacy: There is an urgent need for international advocacy to tackle the root causes of displacement and to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians[5].
- Sports broadcasts have been overlooked as global communities focus their attention on the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Northern Cisjordania, where Palestinians face displacement and desperate living conditions.
- Despite the grim political landscape, general news outlets continue to report on various international issues, highlighting the need for global attention and action towards a peaceful resolution in war-torn regions, such as Northern Cisjordania, and beyond.
