'We're beyond the point of denying that Israel has an apartheid system in the West Bank'
Feb 4, 2025
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Hagar Shezaf, a Haaretz West Bank correspondent with five years of experience documenting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, paints a harrowing picture of life in West Bank refugee camps. She discusses how intensified military campaigns, particularly Operation Iron Wall, have created a 'nightmare' for civilians. While acknowledging the presence of militants, Shezaf emphasizes the plight of ordinary people caught in the violence. She highlights the devastating impact on critical infrastructure and the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinian families amid escalating tensions.
Operation Iron Wall signifies a drastic escalation in Israeli military efforts in the West Bank, causing severe humanitarian crises and civilian suffering.
The far-right Israeli government’s policies have intensified military actions, fostering a hostile environment that endangers Palestinian lives and infrastructure.
Deep dives
Impacts of Operation Iron Wall in the West Bank
Operation Iron Wall marks a significant escalation of Israeli military activity in the West Bank, particularly targeting the Janine refugee camp, which has been a stronghold for Palestinian militants. This operation, initiated shortly after a ceasefire in Gaza, aims to neutralize militant infrastructure and ensure operational freedom for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The military's tactics include the use of drones, warplanes, and bulldozers to demolish roads and disrupt everyday life for the camp's residents. As a consequence, Palestinians in these areas are subjected to severe disruptions, leading to displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Civilian Consequences of Military Operations
The military incursions into the Janine refugee camp have resulted in substantial civilian suffering, reminiscent of the conditions experienced during the Gaza War. Residents frequently flee their homes as military operations lead to widespread destruction of infrastructure, including roads and utilities, complicating already dire living conditions. Reports indicate that families are forcibly evacuated under threats, raising concerns about the legality and morality of such actions. The story of a two-year-old girl critically injured during a raid highlights the tragic impacts on innocent lives and the challenges faced by families caught in the violence.
Shifts in Political Dynamics and Military Tactics
The geopolitical environment, marked by the influence of the Israeli government’s far-right composition, has led to increased pressure for military action in the West Bank. Settler communities and certain government officials advocate for a more aggressive stance, worsening tensions and violence against Palestinians. This shift is underscored by President Trump's policies, which have emboldened Israeli settlers and altered military engagement rules, contributing to a heightened atmosphere of hostility. As such, the Israeli military appears increasingly aggressive in its actions, drawing comparisons to tactics used during the Gaza conflict, thus blurring the lines between distinct regional conflicts.
The lives of Palestinians in West Bank refugee camps and surrounding villages have become a "nightmare" as a result of the intensified military campaigns by the IDF against militant groups operating there, says Haaretz West Bank correspondent Hagar Shezaf on the Haaretz Podcast.
Two days after the Gaza cease-fire went into effect, Israel began operation "Iron Wall" - an aggressive campaign targeting Palestinian militant groups. It is focused on the Jenin refugee camp, and includes air strikes and raids, the demolishing of infrastructure like water, roads, and electricity, and repeatedly forcing civilians out of their homes.
“You can't argue there are militants in these places, but at the same time, there are regular people who just live there, and their life has become a nightmare over the past two years,” particularly since October 7, says Shezaf, discussing how the war - and the cease-fire - has affected the West Bank, which she has covered for the past five years.