Haaretz: Israeli army opposes return of residents to Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps

The Israeli military has told the Supreme Court that residents displaced from the Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps will not be permitted to return at this stage, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

The newspaper said the army intends to maintain a military presence in the northern West Bank camps in order to preserve what it describes as operational and security control, and has not provided a timetable for residents to return.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced from the three camps since the start of large-scale Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank. Palestinian residents and aid organisations have described the evacuations as abrupt and highly disruptive, leaving many families dependent on limited humanitarian assistance.

According to Haaretz, Israeli forces have also carried out extensive demolition and engineering works inside the camps, including widening roads and creating new routes intended to facilitate the movement of military vehicles.

The Israeli military has said such changes are necessary to improve access for security operations and prevent armed groups from rebuilding infrastructure inside densely populated camp areas.

Palestinian officials and rights organisations argue that the destruction and prolonged displacement are fundamentally altering the camps and could prevent residents from returning to their homes.

Human Rights Watch has previously accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with forced displacement and destruction in the northern West Bank. Israel rejects such characterisations and maintains that its operations are directed against Palestinian armed groups and are necessary for security reasons.