In the heart of the West Bank, stories of hope and resilience amid tragedy unfold daily, such as that of Fuad Abu Salam, who longs for the return to his family’s ancestral home. Following the devastating military operation termed “Iron Wall,” which displaced thousands, Fuad’s experience encapsulates the plight of Palestinian families grappling with loss yet refusing to relinquish their dreams of return. This narrative is not just about surviving displacement but embodies the profound connection to heritage and place that remains unbroken against the odds.
Ramallah, occupied West Bank – Every morning, Fuad Abu Salam enjoys his coffee outside his rented home in the Thinnabeh suburb, gazing at the Tulkarem refugee camp in the distance. This camp, once a thriving community, is where he and his extended family lived in a spacious two-storey building comprising four apartments, each measuring 300 square metres (3,229 square feet). Today, however, Fuad, along with his wife, four children, and mother, is confined to a modest rented apartment of only 100 square metres (1,076 square feet), as their original home in Tulkarem was partially destroyed when they were forced to flee.
The turning point for Fuad’s family came on January 21, 2025, when Israel commenced a military operation in the occupied West Bank named “Iron Wall,” initially focused on the Jenin refugee camp. Within a week, this operation expanded to Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps, resulting in the forced displacement of their entire populations. The United Nations has reported that as of October 2025, 33,362 Palestinians remain forcibly displaced from these camps, with significant destruction evident: 52 percent of structures in Jenin, 48 percent in Nur Shams, and 36 percent in Tulkarem have been either damaged or destroyed.
The impact of the Israeli operation has been profound, affecting not only homes but also essential infrastructure like roads, water, and electricity networks, while humanitarian aid has been substantially hindered. According to a report, Israeli forces killed 102 Palestinians, including 21 children, during this period, constituting nearly half of the total Palestinian fatalities in the West Bank.
Recently, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the government to establish a timeline for the return of displaced people by November 23. Despite this ruling, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dismissed the court’s decision, arguing that returning residents might reconstruct what he considers “terror infrastructure.” Meanwhile, Defence Minister Israel Katz also rejected the ruling, emphasizing the military’s presence in the camps as a security necessity.
Fuad, now 42 and a greenhouse installer, fled alongside his extended family of over 40 people but clings to the hope of returning home one day. He has endured challenging conditions since his displacement, moving between relatives’ homes before settling temporarily in Thinnabeh. Gazing at what remains of his apartment from a distance has “restored his spirit,” he says, as it symbolizes his connection to his past. He dreams of a return, declaring that he would accept any opportunity to go back immediately without hesitation.
The home he longs for is irrevocably changed; it was partially destroyed and set ablaze, rendering 80 percent of the apartment block uninhabitable. Regardless, Fuad is determined to rebuild, vowing to return even if it means living on the ruins of his former home.
Similarly, 18-year-old Mohamad Ararawi from the Jenin refugee camp experienced the destruction of his five-story family building, compelling them to seek shelter with relatives. The displacements have tested their resilience, yet their unwavering desire to return to their native camp remains prevalent, even with inadequate living conditions.
Yet this hopeful return is fraught with difficulty. Rebuilding their lives in a camp whose infrastructure has been severely compromised poses immense challenges for returning residents. Nihad Shawish, a member of the Nur Shams Camp Popular Services Committee, detailed the destruction: approximately 400 homes were demolished, while around 100 were set on fire by Israeli forces. Many survivors face living in homes that are severely damaged, with doors and windows broken and some structures having collapsed.
Faisal Salameh, an official with the Tulkarem Camp Popular Committee, confirmed that more than 2,000 housing units are completely irreparable, while 90 percent of homes are rendered uninhabitable. Despite the relentless damage and the bureaucratic barriers to reconstruction, displaced residents are ready to return just as soon as they are allowed.
As this saga unfolds, questions loom over the viability of the Supreme Court’s ruling in light of resistance from Israeli government officials. Analysts warn that the Israeli right wing’s prevailing political sentiments may undermine judicial authority, raising doubts about whether the court’s decision will be executed. Thus, the lives of displaced families remain uncertain, as they await clarity on their future.
The situation in the northern West Bank reflects broader issues of displacement and resilience, as communities strive to reclaim their identities amidst adversity.
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