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History Illustrated: The Jenin refugee camp story

After the latest assaults on the occupied West Bank, a look at how the Jenin refugee camp became symbol of resistance.

The Jenin Refugee Camp Story

History Illustrated is a weekly series of insightful perspectives that puts news events and current affairs into historical context using graphics generated with artificial intelligence.

The Jenin Refugee Camp Story — At least 750,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes when the State of Israel was established in 1948. Some refugees settled in what is now known as the Jenin refugee camp, or just the Jenin camp, in the occupied West Bank.

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The Jenin Refugee Camp Story — This spot has historical importance for Palestinian nationalism. Nearby was the stronghold of the first organised Palestinian resistance against British rule, led by Izz al-Din al-Qassam (also spelled as Ezedin al-Qassam).

The Jenin Refugee Camp Story — The original camp was destroyed by a violent snowstorm but rebuilt and formally established in 1953.

The Jenin Refugee Camp Story — During the first Intifada between 1987 and 1993, Israeli soldiers regularly raided the Jenin camp in search of armed Palestinians.

The Jenin Refugee Camp Story — More than 400 houses were destroyed, and hundreds were severely damaged. More than a quarter of the camp’s population was displaced.

The Jenin Refugee Camp Story — Resistance fighters have been arming themselves to protect the camp and its residents.

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The Jenin Refugee Camp Story — But Israel says the Jenin camp is not a place of resistance but a hub for armed men bent on doing harm to Israelis.

The Jenin Refugee Camp Story — In 2022, Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot by an Israeli military sniper in Jenin while reporting on an Israeli raid.

The Jenin Refugee Camp Story — In July 2023, Israel launched its largest assault on the occupied West Bank in decades. While Palestinians in the Jenin camp are unclear about their future, Israel seems to be more certain.