In the north of the West Bank lies Jenin, an almost deserted city only traversed by a few youngsters on motorcycles, despite the constant presence of drones monitoring it, as well as the sound of gunfire and explosions in the distance. Recently, the Israeli Army conducted a large-scale raid in the city's refugee camp, resulting in 10 deaths and at least 40 injuries.
Hisham, a 15-year-old boy, describes the atmosphere in Jenin as terrifying, while his friend Zef urges him to quickly get on his bike to avoid being caught in the middle of the street. The city is known as a stronghold of militias such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. This operation, called "Iron Wall," is seen by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz as a lesson learned from the recent war in Gaza, aimed at preventing the militants from regrouping.
According to a local 27-year-old nurse named Mohamed Fashafsha, the government hospital in Jenin has become a kind of prison, as about 600 people are trapped inside, unable to leave due to the military presence. Barricades and blockades by Israeli forces make access to the refugee camp difficult, creating a critical situation for the residents.
Amid this crisis, the actions of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) have been questioned, accused by some of collaborating with Israel and detaining militants, which has sparked outrage among the local population. Hamas, for its part, has denounced this alleged collaboration and accused the PNA of participating in the Israeli military operation.
Given the difficult humanitarian situation in the refugee camp, with shortages of food and medicine, UNRWA has warned that it has become almost uninhabitable. Israeli forces have justified their siege of the hospital by claiming the presence of explosives planted by militants in the vicinity, which has prevented the exit of patients and medical staff.
Despite denials from the Israeli Army, forced evacuations have been reported in the refugee camp, although these claims are denied by military authorities. Amid violence and uncertainty, local communities face a difficult daily reality, marked by the constant presence of confrontations and looming dangers.
