Grief and Resilience in Balata Refugee Camp

Balata refugee camp, occupied West Bank – Jameela Sanaqra has lost three sons to violence. She is certain that two of them were killed by Israeli forces.

Her youngest son, Mahmoud, was shot in his bedroom by Israeli commandos just a week shy of his 26th birthday on February 27. His body has not been returned to her.

This uncertainty about his fate inflicts additional emotional pain. “Palestinian mothers carry their sons twice: once in the womb, and then on the day of their burial,” Jameela expressed in an interview.

Mahmoud might be one of over 2,220 Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, whose remains are reportedly held by Israeli authorities, often in refrigerators or buried in numbered graves.

The Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC) describes this practice as a form of psychological warfare, depriving families of closure.

Conditions in Balata Refugee Camp

Located east of Nablus, Balata is the most densely populated refugee camp in the West Bank, housing at least 33,000 people in less than a quarter of a square kilometer.

Walls are emblazoned with images of over 45 Palestinians killed since October 7. Here, Palestinian resistance groups have long been a challenge for Israeli military operations.

The camp is home to significant landmarks like Jacob’s Well and Joseph’s Tomb, both of which carry immense cultural and religious importance.

Recently, busloads of armed settlers, under military escort, have been reported invading the area, inciting tensions.

Balata has been under sustained military pressure since Israel intensified its actions in the West Bank following the attacks by Hamas in October 2023.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) cites dire conditions, noting high rates of unemployment and food insecurity, particularly among the youth.

The Pain of Uncertainty

The Sanaqra family has reserved a plot in Balata’s cemetery for Mahmoud, hoping for his return, but fearful that they will wait indefinitely.

Reports show that Israel continues to withhold the remains of many Palestinians dating back to the 1967 War.

“It’s torture for families, especially the mothers,” Jameela lamented, underscoring the emotional agony of not being able to mourn properly.

A Cycle of Grief

Mahmoud’s life has been marred by violence. He was only five years old when violence erupted during the second Intifada, where a now-iconic photo captured his despair.

His family witnessed continued trauma, including the deaths of his brothers. The community remembers him as a figure involved in resistance, although Jameela struggles to reconcile this with her memory of him as her son.

Families in Balata face daily military raids, while many residents live in fear of displacement.

“Israel is making life unbearable,” Jameela states. “I only want to be with my sons now.” She dreams of raising children who aspire to be engineers or doctors, but feels that this dream is continually crushed under the weight of oppression.