UN warns Israel's West Bank camp displacement could be crime against humanity

The United Nations has condemned Israel's forced displacement of Palestinian populations from three West Bank refugee camps, warning that the actions could constitute crimes against humanity. In a report, the UN's human rights office detailed how Israeli forces launched Operation Iron Wall in January 2025, targeting the camps of Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarm.

Over 33,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced, with their homes destroyed and infrastructure damaged. The operation, which began a few days after a ceasefire in Gaza, saw Israeli military, police, and other forces enter the camps, cut off essential services, and bar humanitarian access before rounding up residents and forcing them to leave.

As of July 2025, 33,362 of those displaced had not been allowed to return. The UN's rights office accused the Israeli actions of being a large-scale, systematic displacement, potentially amounting to ethnic cleansing and collective punishment, which are violations of international law. Israel dismissed the report, accusing the UN of setting aside impartiality and independence, spreading misinformation, and neglecting to mention threats of attacks.