Thousands displaced in West Bank turn sports halls into shelters

The forced displacement in the occupied West Bank, created by Israel’s ongoing military operations, is the largest since 1967, driving thousands of Palestinians to seek refuge in sports halls and cultural centres.

In Tulkarm, one of the areas hardest hit by the violence, institutions like the Tulkarm Cultural Club have stepped in to offer shelter, food, medical aid, and educational support to displaced families. Sports halls that once echoed with the sound of dribbling basketballs and running athletes are now makeshift shelters, where the squeak of sneakers on the floor has been replaced by the quiet hum of cooking, schooling, and slumber.

The club’s director, Muhammad Osama, described the overwhelming challenges of providing for the displaced, especially for women and children.

“We did what we could to provide shelter, food, and water, but many left their homes without even the basics—no clothes, no belongings,” he told The New Arab. “It’s been difficult to meet their needs.”

Starting January, Israel has launched a harsh military assault throughout the occupied West Bank known as Operation Iron Wall. Under the pretence of “countering terrorism,” the Israeli military has bulldozed homes and destroyed infrastructure in the northern West Bank, particularly in the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps.

The military raids have displaced approximately 40,000 Palestinians, with many families fleeing their homes in a state of panic, leaving without basic belongings. As the violence persists, the situation worsens, with increasing numbers of families left without shelter, essential supplies, or any means of support.

The toll of displacement

The Tulkarm Youth Centre’s three 350-square-meter halls, originally designed for training, have been repurposed as shelters for nearly 50 displaced people from Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps. Emptied of all sports equipment, the spaces are now crowded, makeshift living areas full of mattresses and blankets.

By day, mattresses and beddings are pushed to the side, emptying the halls for volunteers offering mental support and schooling, and for families cooking. By night, mattresses cover the halls’ floors, for people to sleep on.

Abu Mahmoud Al-Safi is now living in the volleyball hall of the Tulkarm Cultural Club with his wife, his 25-year-old son Mahmoud, and their daughter, Zeina, a second-year accounting student at Al-Khadouri University.

His wife, Fatima, voiced her despair, “How long will this continue? We have been here for months, and we’ve lost everything. I just want a life like others, but no one is listening.”

“We left with nothing,” Mahmoud added. “We don’t know what happened to our home. Is it still there? Did it collapse? Only God knows.” 

In addition to the immediate trauma of losing their homes, displaced families face a mounting economic burden while navigating the longest period of displacement since the Second Intifada in 2002. Many have been unable to work due to the ongoing violence, leaving them without a source of income. 

Mahmoud Qazmouz, 36, recalls the traumatic moment his family was forced to leave their home without warning, taking only the clothes on their backs. “All of that is now scattered in vain, not a single thread remains, not a single brick to carry our memories,” he said.

Now living with his married sister, Qazmouz grapples daily with the emotional and financial strain of displacement.

As a result of the ongoing violence and displacement, shelters like the Tulkarm Cultural Club have become vital hubs, offering not just a place to sleep but essential humanitarian aid. 

According to Osama, volunteers from organizations such as the Young Men’s Christian Association and Al-Quds Open University are offering psychological support services to those traumatised by the violence, and educational programs have been set up in the sports halls, where displaced children can use tablets and laptops to continue their studies despite ongoing school closures.

At Dhenaba School, which has been converted into a shelter for displaced people, Director Abdullah Assaf reported that the centre is hosting about 100 people, but the number of displaced across the Tulkarm governorate is around 4,500.

“We are doing everything we can, but it’s overwhelming. The resources just aren’t enough,” Assaf said.

At the same time, the local government and Doctors Without Borders have provided basic and emergency healthcare, as well as first aid training, to the displaced. However, the challenges remain immense, especially as people continue to arrive with growing health needs.

No end in sight

The ongoing operation in the occupied West Bank—the longest Israeli military offensive in the area in two decades—is part of a broader political strategy that Israeli officials have made no secret of. 

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated that the goal is to expand Israel’s control over Palestinian territories, including the occupied West Bank, and has publicly advocated for the relocation of Israelis to Gaza and its annexation.

Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz has also made clear that the military operations will continue indefinitely. Katz has stated that troops will remain in the occupied West Bank “for the coming year” to prevent Palestinians from returning to their homes and to thwart any potential resurgence of violence. 

His words have sparked fears of a permanent military presence in the region, and many see this as a move toward the de facto annexation of the occupied West Bank. 

This political shift has been accompanied by the largest settlement expansion seen in decades, with new outposts being established across Palestinian land.

The international community has voiced concern over the escalation of violence and its consequences. At the same time, the humanitarian crisis is worsening, with thousands of displaced Palestinians unable to access basic services like healthcare and education.

With no end to the violence in sight, the displaced families of Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nur Shams will continue to struggle for their basic survival while facing an uncertain future. As the crisis deepens, the need for a stronger international response grows more urgent.

“The children are the most affected,” Osama said. “They’ve lost their homes, their schools, and their sense of security. We do what we can, but the psychological damage will last long after the violence has stopped.”

This piece was published in collaboration with Egab.