Jerusalem: Israeli occupation forces continued their raid on Qalandiya refugee camp, north of occupied Jerusalem, for the second consecutive day on Thursday, amid widespread demolition operations, extensive home raids and intensified military measures in the area.
According to Nam News Network, the Jerusalem Governorate reported that Israeli forces began demolishing a number of commercial shops near the Qalandiya military checkpoint while closing the main road to vehicles, effectively bringing movement in the area to a complete standstill. The Governorate further detailed that Israeli forces imposed a curfew at dawn on the streets of Kafr Aqab town through loudspeakers, closing all intersections and roads leading to Jerusalem, including Al-Maahad Street, amidst a heavy military presence.
Israeli forces reportedly prevented ambulances from entering the Qalandiya refugee camp, obstructing the transfer of patients to hospitals, and continued to raid residents' homes, searching them and damaging their contents. The Governorate also stated that Israeli forces evacuated the home of resident Mohammad Jamil Ammar, planted explosives inside it, detonated parts of the house, and later detained him.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society indicated that its crews treated 10 people injured due to Israeli forces' attacks and evacuated several medical cases. It added that Israeli forces prevented its teams from entering the camp during the night and forced them to leave despite the presence of cases they had not yet been able to reach.
Additional military reinforcements were deployed by Israeli forces towards the Market Neighbourhood inside the camp, with several young men being detained during the ongoing raids. The Jerusalem Governorate highlighted that the military campaign against Qalandiya refugee camp had entered its 22nd hour, amid a broad escalation and violations against residents and their property.
This raid forms part of a larger military offensive by Israeli forces against the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps. Last week, Israeli authorities announced an extension of military orders imposing closures on these camps until September 30, continuing their ongoing military operations there. The new orders prohibit entry into, remaining in, or leaving these areas without a special permit from the Israeli military, while exempting Israeli forces and police from the restrictions.
The previous orders were initially set to expire on July 31 before being extended as the siege persists, leaving residents unable to return to their homes. The ongoing situation involves widespread demolitions and bulldozing operations, alongside the forced displacement of tens of thousands of families. The Israeli army launched its large-scale offensive on Jenin city and refugee camp on January 21, 2025, later expanding it to include the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps. The campaign has involved raids, demolition of homes and infrastructure, and the forced displacement of tens of thousands of families.
The simultaneous escalation in several refugee camps comes amid growing warnings over deteriorating humanitarian conditions, as Palestinian officials describe the measures as part of a broader policy of tightening the siege and expanding military operations.