Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday that Israeli forces displacement of residents from three refugee camps in the West Bank amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In a report, the watchdog said that 32,000 people reportedly removed have not been permitted to return to their homes, many of which Israel forces have deliberately demolished.
The 105-page report, “‘All My Dreams Have Been Erased’: Israel’s Forced Displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank,” details “Operation Iron Wall,” an Israeli military operation across Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams refugee camps that began on January 21, 2025, days after a temporary ceasefire was announced in Gaza.
It’s not just Gaza. New @hrw 105 pg report finds that Israel’s emptying of three West Bank refugee camps since early 2025—forcibly displacing 32,000 people & destroying 100s of homes—amount to war crimes, ethnic cleansing & crimes against humanity. A🧵1/7 https://t.co/2TepaSGv3S pic.twitter.com/87BqVWxScX
— Omar Shakir (@OmarSShakir) November 20, 2025
“Israeli authorities in early 2025 forcibly removed 32,000 Palestinians from their homes in West Bank refugee camps without regard to international legal protections and have not permitted them to return,” said Nadia Hardman, senior refugee and migrant rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“With global attention focused on Gaza, Israeli forces have carried out war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank that should be investigated and prosecuted,” she added.
HRW interviewed 31 displaced Palestinian refugees from the three camps and analyzed satellite imagery and Israeli military demolition orders confirming the widespread destruction. Researchers also analyzed and verified videos and photographs of the Israeli military operations.
The watchdog stressed that the Geneva Conventions prohibit displacement of civilians from occupied territory except temporarily for imperative military reasons or the population’s security.
“Displaced civilians are entitled to protection, accommodation, and to return as soon as hostilities in the vicinity cease,” it added.
HRW said senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, should be investigated for the refugee camp operations and appropriately prosecuted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“Governments should impose targeted sanctions and take other urgent action to press Israeli authorities to end their repressive policies.”
Source: HRW (edited by Al-Manar English Website)
