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Nur Shams demolition notice
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.
“Israeli authorities have ordered the demolition of 25 residential buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the occupied West Bank this week, local officials said — a move local leaders say will affect about 100 family homes.”
Palestinian officials say the move could displace about 100 family homes and is reportedly scheduled for Dec. 18.
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'.
Demolition orders and protests
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.
Camp representatives warned that the demolition order could affect up to 100 family homes.
Local committees say homeowners and residents have been notified.
Northern West Bank campaign
Multiple outlets place the planned demolitions within a wider Israeli campaign in the northern West Bank.
“roughly 1,500 homes have been damaged or demolished across three camps in the past year and some 32,000 Palestinians forcibly displaced.”
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.
Debate over demolition legality
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'.
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.
Impact of West Bank demolitions
Analysts and camp representatives warn the demolitions will reshape the West Bank’s geography and harden displacement patterns seen elsewhere.
“Human rights groups and Palestinian leaders say the campaign mirrors tactics used in Gaza, amounting to forced displacement and efforts to reshape the West Bank’s geography;”
Multiple sources compare the tactics to those used in Gaza and warn of lasting social harm.
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.