It's back-to-school time in the occupied West Bank

and as the IDF's "Operation Summer Camp" continues in many cities,** children face additional challenges in accessing their basic right to education.**

• Students in occupied Hebron break through the Israeli barriers and checkpoints to reach their schools on the first day of the new academic year.

• Students in several areas of Hebron had to walk across rugged fields to get to their first day of school, as the occupation prevented them from using the main roads.

• In other areas of the governorate, checkpoints have been closed and crossing procedures have remained strict since October7, making it difficult for children to get to school.

• israeli Occupation police block students from accessing their schools after storming the Umm al-Dalia neighborhood in Hebron.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner General statement:

"West Bank. unrwa الاونروا

Back to learning tomorrow for children in UNRWA schools. In the north of the West Bank, this comes after nearly 10 days of violence and destruction. 6,000 girls and boys of school age have been directly affected between Jenin, Tulkarem, Nur al-Shams and Fara'a refugee camps. The physical and psychological damage caused by the latest Israeli military operation and activities of Palestinian armed groups will take a long time to overcome. Our teams are working so that all children go back to school. Education cannot be taken away. Children and their learning must be protected, always."

https://x.com/UNLazzarini/status/1832680937517174800

Tulkarm or Tulkarem (Arabic: طولكرم, Ṭūlkarm) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank, the capital of the Tulkarm Governorate of the State of Palestine

• 1967: Tulkarm came under Israeli occupation following the Six-Day War.
• 1982: Israeli Civil Administration took control of Tulkarm from the military government.
• 1995: After the Oslo Accords, control of Tulkarm was transferred to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on December 10, becoming the third city from which Israeli forces withdrew. Early 2000s: During the Second Intifada, Israel temporarily reoccupied Tulkarm. 2005: Israeli military administration ended, and control of Tulkarm was returned to the PNA, which imposed new weapons restrictions on militants. October 19, 2023: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) re-entered Tulkarm. Israel carries out very frequent raids there and the agricultural lands are subject to frequent attacks by settlers and soldiers. Since August 28, 2024, Israel has launched a large-scale offensive on various cities in the northern West Bank, called "Operation Summer Camp"

What is Israel Doing to Palestinians in Tulkarm?

Frequent Israeli Raids:

Tulkarm, a city and refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, faces near-daily Israeli raids . Israel claims these operations target militants, particularly from Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades. However, these raids involve significant destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Destruction of Homes and Infrastructure:

During the raids, Israeli forces deploy bulldozers to destroy large residential areas, schools, and hospitals. Homes are set on fire, and Israeli troops reportedly prevent local relief workers from extinguishing these blazes.

Collective Punishment Tactics:

This destruction aims to collectively punish the population, according to experts, in response to pockets of armed resistance against the Israeli occupation. Following the Activist Shadi Abdullah, who documents Israeli abuses, Israeli forces used to

• demolish homes
• intentionally cut off basic necessities such as water and electricity.
• Israeli soldiers cooperate with illegal settlers to attack civilians, adding to the fear and hardship faced by Palestinians in Tulkarm.

Civilian Impact:

Civilians in Tulkarm are constantly at risk from both Israeli forces and settlers, as the city lies between several Israeli settlements. The destruction of residential areas forces Palestinians into overcrowded, remaining safe zones, further increasing the already high population density due to previous displacements.

Strategic Importance of Tulkarm:

Tulkarm holds strategic value for its fertile agricultural land and access to natural water resources. However, the illegal Israeli settlements have appropriated much of this land, forcing Palestinian farmers to rely on expensive tanker water and rainwater collection systems.

Role of Drones and Heavy Weaponry:

• Drones play a key role in Israeli raids, providing air cover and targeting Palestinian fighters. Israel has used drones extensively in other West Bank cities like Jenin and Nur Shams, where they killed several Palestinians in July, Augustus and September, since the beginning of "Operation Summer Camp"

• Israel’s use of drones, bulldozers, and heavy military equipment is part of a broader strategy to instill fear in younger generations and suppress armed resistance. However, this tactic has not succeeded in demoralizing the civilian population, who continue to support the resistance movement as part of the broader struggle against Israeli occupation.