The Palestine Liberation Organization’s Department of Refugee Affairs has issued a stern condemnation of what it describes as a systematic campaign to forcibly displace Palestinian populations from their ancestral territories. According to the organization’s statement, this strategy aims to permanently resolve the refugee status issue while negating the longstanding right of return, which it claims forms part of a broader initiative to solidify control and effectively annex the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The department provided specific evidence of this alleged campaign, noting that since the initiation of military operations in the northern West Bank earlier this year, hundreds of residential structures in refugee camps have been partially or completely demolished. These destruction operations have reportedly compelled thousands of Palestinian families to abandon their homes and communities, creating a humanitarian crisis with profound implications for regional stability.
From a legal perspective, the PLO agency characterized these actions as constituting clear violations of international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter, amounting to what it defined as war crimes. The statement further criticized the international community for its perceived silence and inaction in the face of these developments, suggesting that the absence of meaningful deterrence or consequences has emboldened the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue its alleged violations of international norms and laws.
The department concluded that the ongoing operations by what it termed ‘the occupying State’ fundamentally undermine prospects for security and stability throughout the region, creating conditions that could potentially escalate existing tensions and conflict dynamics.