Israel Plans to Demolish 25 Residential Buildings in Nur Shams Refugee Camp, Occupied West Bank

Israeli authorities have notified Palestinian officials that they plan to demolish 25 residential buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank.

“Rights groups say the demolition order, which will affect 100 Palestinian homes, is an attempt to ‘cage in’ Palestinians”

Al Jazeera

Palestinian officials say the move could displace about 100 family homes and is reportedly scheduled for Dec. 18.

Al Jazeera

Local officials told AFP and multiple outlets that COGAT, Israel’s civil-coordination body, communicated the order.

The Israeli military said it was reviewing the matter or 'looking into it'.

Residents in Nur Shams and local leaders reported immediate protests and a blockade by Israeli armoured vehicles when displaced families tried to return.

Specific households face large-scale loss: one resident, Aisha Dama, said her four-storey home sheltering about 30 people is slated for demolition.

arabnews.jp

Camp representatives warned that the demolition order could affect up to 100 family homes.

Local committees say homeowners and residents have been notified.

Multiple outlets place the planned demolitions within a wider Israeli campaign in the northern West Bank.

“Daijiworld Media Network - Ramallah Ramallah, Dec 16:The Israeli military is set to demolish 25 residential buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank this week, according to local Palestinian authorities”

Daijiworld

They report Israeli forces launched broad operations in early 2025 targeting armed groups in camps such as Nur Shams, Tulkarem and Jenin.

The operations included demolishing houses to create access for troops and resulted in the displacement of thousands.

Sources say roughly 1,500 homes were damaged or demolished across at least three camps over the past year and about 32,000 people were forcibly displaced.

Other outlets report more than 30,000 people have not yet returned home after operations that began when occupation dynamics dating to 1967 were renewed in 2025.

Officials and commentators have sharply disagreed on legality and motive.

Palestinian governors, human rights groups and some commentators called the demolitions 'ethnic cleansing' or said they contribute to 'dehumanisation' and 'social death'.

Middle East Monitor

Israeli authorities characterise the measures as part of 'Operation Iron Wall' to combat armed groups.

Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court rejected an Israeli challenge to its probe of Israel's conduct in Gaza, leaving in place earlier arrest warrants.

The UN and International Court of Justice have repeatedly criticised settlement policy as illegal.

Analysts and camp representatives warn the demolitions will reshape the West Bank’s geography and harden displacement patterns seen elsewhere.

“The Israeli military is set to raze 25 residential buildings in the occupied West Bank’s Nur Shams refugee camp this week, deepening fears of mass displacement, local authorities informed theAl Jazeera”

National Herald

Multiple sources compare the tactics to those used in Gaza and warn of lasting social harm.

National Herald

Palestinian officials have urged the international community, human-rights groups and diplomatic missions to intervene, and local governors called for urgent action to stop such operations.

Reports vary in tone and emphasis across outlets but converge on a practical consequence: the planned demolitions will forcibly displace families and deepen an already large displaced population from recent West Bank operations.