The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli Occupation Forces’ (IOF) escalation of their brutal assault in the West Bank through widescale invasions of Palestinian cities and refugee camps and deadly airstrikes, that have so far collected the lives of 33 Palestinian, including 12 civilians; among them three children, and resulted in the injury of dozens of others. Additionally, thousands of residents of northern West Bank refugee camps have been forcibly displaced, dozens of homes have been destroyed, and several more have been set on fire. The IOF continue their assault on Jenin for the 11th consecutive day and on Tulkarm for the 5th day.
According to PCHR’s field documentation, since 21 January 2025, the IOF have continued their ground invasion into Jenin city, its refugee camp, west of the city, and the surrounding villages, with Israeli warplanes heavily hovering above. Moreover, dozens of families have been forcibly displaced from the Jenin refugee camp, while Israeli bulldozers have demolished dozens of houses and civilian facilities and set others ablaze. The IOF have also arrested tens of young men from the camp and completely cut off its electricity. Intense airstrikes have pounded Jenin city and its refugee camp and villages amid indiscriminate gunfire. As a result, 19 Palestinians, including 11 civilians; among them a boy and a girl, were killed, while dozens more were injured; most of whom were camp residents.
Since the afternoon of 27 January 2025, the IOF have continued their military assault on Tulkarm and its refugee camp. In addition to extensive raids on houses and shops, Israeli bulldozers have been leveling and destroying streets and infrastructure. Additionally, at gunpoint, the IOF have forced hundreds of residents to leave their houses and camp. Many houses and shops have been demolished, while others have been set on fire. Since the onset of their brutal assault, the IOF’s warplanes have launched many airstrikes, accompanied by gunfire during their incursions. As a result, three Palestinians were killed as IOF claim they were affiliated with Palestinian armed groups. Two of them were killed in an airstrike on a vehicle near Nur Shams refugee camp’s entrance on 28 January 2025, while the third was killed after being besieged in a house in Irtaḥ suburb in Tulkarm on 27 January 2025. Additionally, many Palestinians were injured; 5 of them were shot with live bullets.
On 26 January 2025, the IOF stationed at Qalandia military checkpoint, north of occupied East Jerusalem, killed Adam Majdi Sab (16) after shooting him in his right thigh and injured two other children in their limbs, allegedly for throwing stones and Molotov Cocktails at the checkpoint.
In two separate extrajudicial execution crimes (assassinations), the IOF have killed 11 Palestinians, allegedly affiliated with Palestinian armed groups. On 29 January 2025, the IOF killed 10 Palestinians and seriously injured another after an Israeli drone fired two missiles at them while they were sitting in a house yard in central Tamoun village in Tubas. On 30 January 2025, an Israeli special unit shot and killed a Palestinian while he was walking near al-Hekma Private Schools on Bin Rushd Street near al-Rawda College in eastern Nablus. His body is held by IOF.
PCHR once again warns of the IOF’s ongoing escalation across the West Bank, including the continued killings and the excessive use of force in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), alongside the ferocious settlement expansion and the unabated settler violence backed and supported by the IOF. PCHR reiterates its calls on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to halt Israel’s crimes and break the silence that encourages Israel to commit more atrocities.
PCHR recalls the advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in August 2024, which has concluded the illegality of Israel’s continued presence and practices in the oPt. Therefore, Israel’s continued illegal occupation in the oPt along with its ongoing denial of Palestinians’ inalienable rights are the main causes of the drastic escalation and the deteriorating situation.
