Jumaa Zawayda

Jumaa Zawayda is a 66-year-old Palestinian resident of the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Recently, he made headlines for his courageous decision to remain in his home during a military operation by Israeli forces, despite the evacuation orders issued to the camp's 20,000 residents. After enduring three days of intense conflict, he ultimately left his home only to discover later that it had likely been destroyed amidst the demolitions carried out during the Israeli military's ongoing campaign against armed groups in the area. A father of nine and a former construction worker, Jumaa expressed his determination to return to his home, stating, 'If they won't let me rebuild my house, I will set up a tent in its place.' His story highlights the broader humanitarian crisis faced by many Palestinians in the region.