Israeli Forces Mark Palestinian Women During Jenin Invasion

Israeli forces conducted an operation in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, allowing approximately 120 Palestinian women to enter the camp to inspect their homes and retrieve belongings. This event occurred under strict security measures, with the women facing extensive searches and military surveillance. The visit lasted less than two hours, during which the women were marked with numbers on their hands to categorize them based on their neighborhoods.

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The visit had a profound emotional impact on the women, many of whom found their homes unrecognizable due to extensive destruction. Um Fadi Wahdan, one of the women, described her shock upon discovering her five-story home completely burned down. “I wish I hadn’t gone,” she stated, reflecting on the overwhelming grief of seeing her neighborhood in ruins. The camp, once a community, now resembled a war zone, with streets filled with sewage and many houses turned into military barracks.

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The women reported facing humiliating treatment during their entry. Abeer al-Sabbagh, another resident, recounted the experience of being subjected to strip searches by female soldiers, which she described as psychologically damaging. Despite her discomfort, she was told she had no choice but to comply. “It was indecent,” she remarked, highlighting the distressing nature of the searches, especially for younger women present.

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This incident marks the second time Israeli forces have permitted such visits to the Jenin camp. The first occurred on July 8, 2025, when 25 women were allowed to enter. The ongoing military presence and operations in Jenin have been a source of tension and trauma for residents, many of whom have lost family members to violence. Wahdan's son was killed by Israeli forces in August 2024, and she has faced further family separations due to detentions.

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Israeli authorities have not publicly commented on the specific treatment of the women during this visit or the broader implications of the military operations in Jenin. The military's justification for such operations typically revolves around security concerns, but the humanitarian impact on the local population remains a contentious issue.

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Human rights advocates and local residents have condemned the treatment of Palestinian women during these visits, labeling the practices as dehumanizing and indicative of broader systemic issues within the Israeli military's approach to the occupied territories. Critics argue that the psychological toll on residents, particularly women, is profound and warrants international attention.

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While reports from the women indicate severe emotional and physical distress during their visits, there is a lack of official Israeli military commentary addressing these claims. Additionally, the extent of destruction in Jenin remains contested, with varying accounts of the number of homes affected and the overall condition of the camp.

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• “I went to the Wahdan neighbourhood where my house is. I was shocked to find it completely burned down, all five storeys. I wish I hadn’t gone,” — Um Fadi Wahdan, Palestinian resident

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• “There isn’t a single house left fit for habitation,” — Abeer al-Sabbagh, Palestinian displaced from Jenin

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• “When I learned there would be a strip search, I told the female soldier I wanted to leave, that I didn’t want to continue the visit. She told me that even if I wanted to leave, I would still be subjected to the search,” — Abeer al-Sabbagh, Palestinian displaced from Jenin

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