UNRWA: 33,000 Palestinians displaced from northern West Bank living in harsh conditions

Abeer Ismail, a member of UNRWA’s media office, said that 33,000 registered Palestinian refugees were forcibly displaced from the three camps. They are now living in unstable conditions, in rented homes, with relatives, or in locations lacking even the most basic standards of safe shelter.

She added, in a report published by Al Jazeera Net, that the majority of these displaced individuals have lost their sources of income. Many were employed inside Israel before the war, particularly in Tulkarem camps, where 80–90% of residents worked across the border. They are now unable to afford rent or provide for their families’ basic needs.

Ismail emphasized that most of the displaced are not housed in organized camps or equipped shelters. Instead, they are spread across surrounding towns and villages like Iktaba, Anabta, and Qabatiya, where current living conditions are especially difficult for the elderly, sick, and persons with disabilities.

Among the displaced are 12,000 children, including 4,500 students who faced interruptions in their education before eventually returning to classes through temporary solutions.

“These students lost their sense of stability and security. Education in these conditions is far from normal; it occurs amidst deep psychological and social crises,” said Ismail. She noted that reopening UNRWA schools near the Tulkarem camp a month ago restored a sense of stability—“You can’t imagine their joy in returning to the classroom.”

Roughly 400 displaced individuals are disabled, some before the war, others injured during military operations. Ismail described their situation as “extremely fragile,” citing inadequate shelter, poor access to healthcare, and lack of privacy.

Previously, UNRWA operated three clinics within the camps, but they’ve been replaced by 11 temporary health stations in displacement areas around Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarem.

Due to the military siege and the presence of Israeli snipers, “no one can currently enter the camps,” Ismail explained. UNRWA now relies on partner reports, such as those from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which estimate that 52% of the Jenin camp, 48% of Nur Shams, and 36% of Tulkarem camp have been destroyed, homes and public infrastructure included.

Ismail stressed that UNRWA’s aid is insufficient to meet the scale of displacement due to funding shortfalls. The agency is working alongside the Palestinian Authority and international/local relief organizations.

She concluded that the suffering of displaced Palestinians worsens daily, with no political or military resolution in sight. “The only real solution,” she stated, “is for the destruction to stop, people to return to their homes, and for a serious reconstruction effort to begin.”

Despite a projected $200 million deficit threatening service cuts, UNRWA’s current plan is to continue relief efforts and prevent further humanitarian deterioration.

According to official Palestinian data, Israel has demolished nearly 300 residential buildings in Jenin camp and displaced approximately 22,000 residents. The offensive in Tulkarem and its two camps (Tulkarem and Nur Shams) has led to the complete destruction of hundreds more homes, partial damage to thousands, and the displacement of more than 25,000 people.