The narrow pathways are shrouded in a permanent dimness, shielded by black nylon coverings to conceal the presence of Palestinian combatants from Israeli drones circling above. Buildings are adorned with green Hamas flags and banners honoring fallen “martyrs,” many of which bear the scars of Israeli airstrikes and raids aimed at quelling the escalating militancy in the region triggered by the conflict in Gaza. Surprisingly, this is not Gaza or a typical Hamas stronghold. It is a refugee camp in Tulkarm, a town in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the more moderate Palestinian faction of Fatah had long held influence.
During a recent encounter in the dusty, dilapidated alleys, I met with a local commander of these young militants, Muhammad Jaber, 25. He, along with other fighters, have shifted their loyalties from the relatively moderate Fatah faction to more radical groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad following the Hamas-led offensive against Israel on October 7th. When asked about the lesson learned from the conflict in Gaza, Mr. Jaber reflected on the values of patience, strength, and courage.
Refugee camps in the northern West Bank, like the one in Tulkarm, have been breeding grounds for militancy for years, predating the Gaza conflict. The fighters in these camps have been resisting the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements and the failure of the peace process to establish a Palestinian state. The call by Hamas to join the uprising against Israel following the events of October 7th has been heeded by some in these camps, including militants like Mr. Jaber, who aspire to drive the Israelis out of the West Bank and even the entire region.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the production of weapons and explosives in the West Bank, with support from Iran in the form of funding and arms smuggling. The more radical Palestinian factions have been gaining ground over the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority, which has been losing control over these militant strongholds in the absence of a presence in the camps.
Mr. Jaber, also known as Abu Shujaa, leads the local branch of Islamic Jihad in Tulkarm and heads a coalition of militant factions in the area, including the Aqsa Martyrs Brigade. Having transitioned from Fatah to Islamic Jihad, he sees armed resistance as the means to end the Israeli occupation and establish Palestine. Despite being reportedly killed by the Israeli military in the past, Mr. Jaber remains a prominent figure in the camp, revered by residents.
In the tense atmosphere of Tulkarm, where Israeli incursions and drone strikes are a constant threat, residents and militants alike navigate the war-torn streets cautiously. The refugee camps have become havens for militant activities, with the Palestinian Authority unable to exert control in these areas. The ongoing conflict between the militants and Israel has left a trail of destruction and casualties, fueling a deep-seated resolve among the fighters to resist the occupation.
As the cycle of violence persists, the young men in the camps, like Qutaybah from Hamas, bear the physical and emotional scars of their resistance. With a grim outlook on their future in the midst of the conflict, they draw inspiration from the events in Gaza to continue their struggle against what they perceive as an imminent threat of genocide. The presence of hidden explosives under the broken pavements serves as a grim reminder of the ever-present danger they face in their daily battle for land, freedom, and dignity.