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Destruction in Jenin

Jenin after nine days of military incursion

In the early morning of 28 August, Israeli forces launched a large-scale military incursion in the cities of Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas in Palestine. This was the most intense incursion since 2002. A total of 39 Palestinians were killed according to the Ministry of Health. 

In Jenin, these nine days saw extreme destruction. A large part of the road infrastructure was destroyed, as well as electricity and water connections, particularly in the refugee camp and eastern neighbourhood of the city. People were trapped, with restricted access to healthcare as military vehicles were placed in front of hospitals and ambulances and health workers were repeatedly searched, and even attacked. Residents feared being shot when leaving their homes. 

These increasingly frequent and unpredictable incursions in the West Bank are taking a heavy toll on the physical and mental health of Palestinians. People live with the constant fear of the next incursion. 

MSF activities were heavily impacted by the large-scale incursion in Jenin. Our usual training and mental health activities were put on hold. During the incursion, a donation of medication, diapers and baby milk was made to the volunteers delivering basic items to the people trapped in the camp. Since the Israeli Forces left on 6 September, MSF teams donated water bottles and water tanks and resumed their psychological first-aid activities. 

A total of 705 Palestinians have been killed and 5,700 wounded in the West Bank since 7 October 2023, according to the Ministry of Health.

People receiving psychological support report feeling hopeless and anxious about the constant fear of  incursions.

MSF teams
After the nine-day incursion that took place in Jenin from 28 August to 6 September, MSF teams resumed their psychological first-aid activities in the refugee camp. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
MSF teams
Salwa and Rahma visit the camp weekly to meet the residents and make assessments of their mental health . Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
MSF teams
After the 9-day incursion that took place in Jenin from 28 August to 6 September, MSF teams resumed their psychological first-aid activities in the refugee camp. “The level of destruction keeps becoming bigger, and the psychological impact is huge,” explains Rahma. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
Omar
Omar stands in the rubble of his home after it was bulldozed by Israeli forces in Jenin refugee camp. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
Destruction in Jenin
One week after military forces withdrew from Jenin, people still struggled to access clean water as many of the pumps were cut and water tanks had been shot and ruptured. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
Destruction in Jenin
Many houses in Jenin refugee camp are marked by bullet holes. Residents talk about recurrent house occupations from Israeli soldiers who also occupy strategic positions to dig a hole for snipers. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF

Salah, an MSF-trained volunteer paramedic,  works in Jenin:

Entrance of the Jenin refugee camp.
At the entrance of the Jenin refugee camp. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
Nour, who has lost her husband
Since Nour lost her husband, she is in a survival mode and lost her appetite for things she used to enjoy. She sews and tries to forget how difficult her family’s situation is. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
Anwar and his 6-year-old daughter
During the last incursion, Israeli soldiers broke into Anwar’s house. He described how they broke the windows and set fire to the second floor which was being built for his older son. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
Anwar and his 6-year-old daughter
During the last incursion, Israeli soldiers broke into Anwar’s house. He described how they broke the windows and set fire to the second floor which was being built for his older son. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
Anwar and his 6-year-old daughter
During the last incursion, Israeli soldiers broke into Anwar’s house. He described how they broke the windows and set fire to the second floor which was being built for his older son. Palestine, September 2024.
Alexandre Marcou/MSF
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