Amidst the global focus on Israel’s severe bombing campaign in Gaza, it is important to remember the ongoing suffering of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. At least 186 Palestinians, including more than 30 children, have been killed by the Israeli military and settlers since October 7. The situation is particularly dire in the Jenin refugee camp, which has essentially become a war zone.
For the past three years, the Brighton Trust, a charity in England, has been supporting the Al Tafawk Children’s Centre in the Jenin camp. The center provides a safe space for children to learn, play, and socialize. However, in recent weeks, many children have taken refuge there due to their homes being destroyed by Israeli bombing.
The continued militarization of the camp has also posed a threat to the Children’s Centre. In July, Israeli soldiers raided the center, destroying facilities and equipment, and leaving the building barely habitable. A fundraising effort was launched to repair the damage, but the hostility towards the center has only escalated.
A teacher at the Al Tafawk Children’s Centre described the harrowing experiences of the children in Jenin, where nights are filled with fear and violence. Even the cemetery has been bombed, highlighting the widespread danger faced by the community. The situation has only worsened since Israel’s aggressive response to the October 7 attack in Gaza, leading to increased military operations in the West Bank.
The devastation is not limited to Gaza, as the West Bank faces escalating violence and repression. Palestinians, including children, are at risk and are experiencing profound suffering. The goal of Israel’s actions is not limited to defeating Hamas but involves an agenda of ethnic cleansing, as evidenced by the recent forced displacement of Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
A pattern of forced relocation is emerging, mirroring the events of the Nakba. Palestinian villages and homes are being targeted, leading to mass displacement and loss. This violence has culminated in attacks on the Jenin camp, in which innocent lives have been lost, and civil society organizations have become targets. The relentless assault on the Al Tafawk Children’s Centre exemplifies the widespread targeting and trauma endured by Palestinian children.
It is imperative to recognize and address the suffering of Palestinian children and demand an immediate end to Israel’s brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing. The world must not turn a blind eye to their plight and must stand in solidarity with the children of Gaza and the West Bank.