Arroub Refugee Camp
Basic Information
- Type
- Refugee Camp
- Governorate
- Hebron
- Region
- West Bank - Southern
Overview
Arroub Refugee Camp is located approximately 15 km south of Bethlehem and 20 km north of Hebron, along the main Jerusalem-Hebron road (Route 60). Established in 1950, the camp houses Palestinian refugees primarily from the villages of Deir al-Balah, Beit Jibrin, Al-Dawayima, Al-Qubeiba, Al-Jubayr, Al-Jura, and Al-Majdal — villages that were depopulated during the 1948 Nakba. The camp sits on a hillside in a highly strategic and militarized location, with an Israeli military base and watchtower positioned at the camp entrance. Arroub Camp is hemmed in by Israeli military infrastructure: a large metal beam locks the main entrance, an IDF booth controls access, and a military watchtower overlooks the entire camp. The camp has been a flashpoint during both Intifadas and faces regular military incursions.
Historical Significance
Arroub is one of the most tightly controlled and surveilled refugee camps in the West Bank. Its location on the main Jerusalem-Hebron corridor makes it a strategic military target. The camp's residents, descendants of refugees from 1948, live under constant military observation and face regular night raids, arrests of young men, and collective punishment measures. The camp has been described as a 'closed military zone' at various points, with residents requiring special permits to enter and exit. Despite these conditions, the camp maintains a highly organized community with self-sufficient water and electricity systems.
Sources and record limitations
Source detail varies by record. Some entries include document and page references; others supply source names only. Check the cited material and the record's limitations before relying on a specific claim.
- UNRWA
- PCBS
- UN OCHA
- B'Tselem
- ARIJ
Most of camp in Area B; Highway 60 section within camp in Area C.