Jenin / PNN /
Israel’s ongoing assault on Jenin and its refugee camp has entered its seventh month, leaving widespread destruction to infrastructure and homes, and forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee.
Bashir Matahin, head of public relations at Jenin Municipality, said Israeli forces have completely destroyed more than 600 homes since the start of the assault, and partially demolished around 1,000 housing units, displacing nearly 22,000 people.
He added that the army’s permanent presence in the camp prevents anyone from entering or leaving, making it nearly impossible for municipal teams to conduct an accurate damage assessment.
“From what we’ve witnessed near the camp, it is clear the occupation has redrawn its map entirely—several landmarks have been erased, and multiple new roads carved through it,” Matahin said.
The continued offensive, he warned, is worsening the crisis for displaced families, as well as creating severe challenges for schools near their places of refuge.
“We expect overcrowding in classrooms in schools close to where displaced families have taken shelter, especially since the occupation has shut down eight schools in and around the camp,” he said.
Jenin Municipality estimates direct damages at around $400 million, while indirect losses continue to mount daily due to the city’s prolonged economic crisis. Jenin has faced 62 military raids even before the latest assault, which has devastated trade, forced shop closures, and derailed numerous business ventures.
According to Matahin, the closure of the Jalameh crossing, daily army presence, and the destruction of the city’s main commercial roads linking its market with nearby villages have driven Jenin’s economy into deep recession.
He noted that in the past three months, the municipality has worked—fully funded by the Palestinian government—on rehabilitating main streets such as Nazareth, Haifa, and Nablus roads to ease movement and revive commercial life. Efforts are also under way to rehabilitate severely damaged neighborhoods, particularly the eastern district and School Street, which Israeli bulldozers have razed multiple times.
Since the assault began on January 21, at least 40 Palestinians have been killed, alongside dozens wounded and arrested.
