MSF: Israel reduced West Bank refugee camps to rubble

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned yesterday that tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the northern occupied West Bank are without proper shelter, essential services or access to healthcare.

Following the January 2025 ceasefire in Gaza, Israel launched the “Iron Wall” military operation in the occupied West Bank, forcibly displacing tens of thousands and leaving them in an extremely precarious situation, the medical group said in a statement.

“Israel must immediately halt the forcible displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank and the humanitarian response must be scaled up and reach those in need.”

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“This scale of forced displacement and destruction of the camps has not been seen for decades. People are unable to return to their homes as Israeli forces have blocked access to the camps, destroying homes and infrastructure. Camps have become ruins and dust. Israel must stop this, and the humanitarian response needs to be scaled up,” said Brice de la Vingne, MSF director of operations.

A report issued by MSF indicated that tens of thousands of displaced people in the northern West Bank lack access to adequate shelter, basic services and healthcare.

The report said the Israeli occupation forces systematically suppress healthcare workers and patients, stressing that access to healthcare is severely restricted.

The report emphasised that the scale of displacement and the escalating humanitarian crisis amid an insufficient international response pose a major challenge to meeting the growing need.

The Israeli occupation has continued its aggression against cities and refugee camps in the northern occupied West Bank for nearly two months, amid a military escalation and widespread destruction of infrastructure and homes.

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