MSF reacts to bombing of Jenin refugee camp amid rising tensions in the West Bank

Violence in the West Bank is rising following the latest war in the Gaza strip. At least 105 Palestinians including 31 children have been killed in the West Bank since 7 October. Ninety-six attacks on healthcare have also been documented there.

Civilians and healthcare facilities should always be protected.

In the West Bank, 94 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,700 injured, including at least 157 children, since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began on 7 October, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO has recorded 81 attacks on health care in the West Bank, affecting 64 ambulances and including 45 attacks obstructing the provision of health care, 44 involving physical violence against health teams, 16 involving the detention of health personnel and ambulances, and nine involving the militarised search of health assets.

In the West Bank, MSF maintains operations focused on emergency care, and mental health care in Hebron, Nablus and Jenin, knowing that sporadic clashes may proliferate.

MSF operations in Jenin

In Jenin, there are more than 400 Gazans distributed in 5 centres. The municipalities, the Ministry of Health and the communities are helping them with clothes, food, phone cards, etc. but many of them are now learning the fate of their families in Gaza and are having mental breakdowns.

MSF is offering accompaniment, information and provision of medication for chronic patients and transport to health centres for Gazans in the five detention centres in Jenin.

MSF team is preparing a mass casualty plan simulation and training to be implemented at Khalid Suleiman Hospital.

MSF also donated drugs and equipment to seven primary healthcare centers for emergency deliveries anticipating that roads will be blocked and that women giving birth will not be able to reach the hospital. Primary trauma care training for the medical staff of these Primary Healthcare Centers to be able to take care of patients in emergencies.

In the refugee camps of Nur Shams in Tulkarem and Jenin Camp, MSF donated first aid bags to volunteer paramedics to stabilize the patients during active hostilities and keep them alive until they reach the hospitals.