The Jenin Refugee Camp faces severe hardships amid a violent campaign by the Palestinian Authority, with shortages in food, water, electricity, and medical care, and constant danger for its 14,000 residents.

The Jenin Refugee Camp has been under intense pressure for over a month, as residents grapple with the ongoing violent campaign led by the Palestinian Authority (PA) forces. The situation has worsened for the camp’s 14,000 residents, who face severe shortages in food, water, electricity, and medical care, as well as significant restrictions on movement.

According to the Al-Jazeera Arabic website, PA spokesperson Anwar Rajab denied reports of a siege in the camp, stating, “The camp is not under siege as rumored, and anyone can enter the camp without being questioned.” He also mentioned that security forces have been distributing water to households.

However, residents and fighters in the camp tell a different story. They report that armored vehicles surround the camp, preventing entry and exit, with frequent identity checks and searches. “The armored vehicles of the security forces block all the entrances,” said one resident. “We are forced to go through repeated inspections every time we try to pass.”

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Basic Necessities Scarce

The residents are also struggling to secure basic necessities. For instance, attempts to deliver food have been blocked. “Yesterday, a group from the nearby villages tried to bring in bags of bread to distribute, but PA security forces confiscated them,” said one resident. The situation has left families in dire need of food and other essentials, including water, which is in short supply.

Women in the camp have become the primary providers for their families. Um Suhaib, a mother living in the camp, shared her experiences, saying, “We try to get basic needs like food from outside the camp, but it is very dangerous to leave the house. There are snipers on the rooftops, and we must pass by armored PA vehicles. Each time, they ask for our IDs and check our phones.”

She described the daily dangers faced by the residents, noting, “We have no security at all; every time we leave to buy food, we fear being shot or injured.”

Medical Crisis

The PA’s violent actions are not just limiting the movement of residents but also disrupting vital medical services. “The UNRWA clinic in the camp has been closed for nearly 40 days because of the situation,” a local resident said. “Sick people can’t even leave the camp for treatment.”

The medical crisis is particularly severe for the elderly, many of whom suffer from chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and cancer. With electricity cuts and no pharmacies open, even essential treatments are unavailable. “Many people need insulin or oxygen, but the clinic is closed, and there are no pharmacies in the camp,” said Um Suhaib.

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Increased Danger

The PA’s violent campaign has intensified the already difficult conditions in the camp, where residents continue to endure heavy gunfire, frequent clashes, and the constant threat of arrest. “Many of the young men who leave their homes are either arrested or shot,” said one resident. “Women are now responsible for providing everything, including bread, medicine, and water.”

The difficulties facing the people of Jenin Refugee Camp are compounded by the closure of many roads and the difficulty of accessing vital services, such as medical assistance. Volunteers attempting to help the injured face harassment from PA security forces. “Some of the volunteers are questioned and stopped from assisting,” said a resident. “It is getting harder and harder to survive under these conditions.”

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Uncertainty Looms

In the face of these challenges, residents continue to seek a solution, but the situation grows more dire with each passing day. “We are facing cold weather without electricity, and we are running out of food and water every day,” said Um Suhaib.

The people of Jenin are trapped between the Palestinian Authority’s violent campaign and the continuing Israeli military incursions, leaving them in an ongoing state of crisis.

(AJA, PC)