Netanyahu’s political strategy that led to the deployment of tanks into Jenin.

Background
On Monday morning, 56-year-old Ahmed al-Amouri observed Israeli tanks rolling into his hometown of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. The sight reminded him of Israel’s military operations during the second Intifada in 2002, but this time, he responded with more humor than fear.

Community’s Response
Al-Amouri, a father of five, joined other bystanders who either took selfies in front of the tanks or threw rocks at them. He remarked, “There’s no point bringing those tanks all the way here. The city’s empty!” Al-Amouri and thousands of other residents had already been driven out, and he jokingly suggested the tanks were “fighting their own demons” since there were no Palestinians left in the camp to confront.

Displacement and Background
Al-Amouri had been forcibly displaced from Jenin refugee camp on January 26, along with 14 other family members. Like many other Palestinians, he and his family are descendants of those expelled during the 1948 Nakba, when Zionist militias forcibly removed Palestinians to make way for the creation of Israel.

Historical Context
The West Bank refugee camps host thousands of Palestinians whose families were uprooted during the Nakba in 1948, and their displacement continues to shape their lives today. Al-Amouri’s response reflects a mixture of defiance and a deep-rooted sense of displacement that has been passed down through generations.