West Bank church becomes sanctuary for Palestinian family fleeing conflict

A Greek Orthodox church in the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarem has become an unexpected sanctuary for a Palestinian family displaced by ongoing Israeli military operations. Majed Yassin, 62, has lived within the church with his family for approximately ten months after fleeing intense fighting and destruction in the Tulkarem refugee camp, he told Anadolu Agency.

Escape from a Devastated Camp

Yassin described a rapid deterioration in humanitarian and security conditions in the camp, marked by water cutoffs, spreading fires, and intense gunfire and explosions that made staying impossible. He and his family fled without coordinating with international aid groups, after being told no such coordination was available. "It was a risk, but the choice was either death inside the camp or trying to survive by leaving," he explained. A later visit revealed widespread devastation; he noted not a single house in the camp had its door intact, with many homes demolished and roads carved through residential areas.

A Church as a Humanitarian Refuge

Having previously worked at the historic church, founded in 1890, Yassin sought shelter with the help of its caretakers. He emphasized that his Muslim faith posed no issue, viewing the church as a humanitarian refuge respected by all. "There is no difference between Muslim and Christian," Yassin stated. After being displaced multiple times, including from a residential building evacuated by Israeli forces during Ramadan, the church became a "lifeline," offering safety amid harsh conditions. The church itself rarely holds regular services today, as Tulkarem's Christian population has dwindled significantly since 1967.

Broader Crisis and Overstretched Aid

Yassin's story reflects a larger crisis. The Israeli military campaign in the northern West Bank, which began in January and intensified after the war in Gaza started, has displaced over 50,000 Palestinians and demolished thousands of homes. Tulkarem Governor Abdullah Kamil told Anadolu that needs are immense and resources severely lacking. A unified committee manages relief, providing food, water, and rent assistance to about 4,500 affected families, but the scale of need outpaces aid. Kamil described the situation as "deliberate exhaustion by Israel," with no clear end to the operations in sight and insufficient international attention. Türkiye, a staunch advocate for the Palestinian cause, continues to call for an immediate end to the violence and displacement, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained humanitarian aid and a just, lasting political solution based on a two-state vision.