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Palestine Atlas

Jabalia Refugee Camp

Basic Information

Type
Refugee Camp
Governorate
North Gaza
Region
Gaza Strip

Overview

Jabalia Refugee Camp is Palestine's largest refugee camp and one of the most densely populated places on Earth. Established in 1948 on just 1.4 square kilometers, it was designed as a temporary shelter for 38,000 Palestinians ethnically cleansed from Jaffa, Ramleh, Lydd, Beersheba, Ashdod, and other towns in southern Palestine during the Nakba. Seventy-six years later, the camp still exists — a monument to the international community's failure to implement Palestinian refugees' right of return, enshrined in UN General Assembly Resolution 194. By 2023, 119,540 registered refugees lived in the same 1.4 sq km — a density exceeding 85,000 persons per sq km, among the highest ever recorded. The camp was known as 'the Camp of the Revolution' and was the spark that ignited the First Intifada on December 9, 1987, when an Israeli military truck killed four Palestinian workers at the Erez crossing. In 1971, Ariel Sharon ordered the demolition of 2,500 homes in the camp, displacing 2,000 families. The 2023-2026 war brought total destruction: the camp was subjected to sustained bombardment, thousands were killed under rubble, and the area was effectively depopulated.

Historical Significance

Palestine's largest refugee camp; one of world's most densely populated places; spark of First Intifada December 9, 1987; 'Camp of the Revolution'; 2,500 homes demolished 1971; 119,540 UNRWA registered refugees in 1.4 sq km; completely destroyed in 2023-2026 war

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.

  • PCBS 2017 Census
  • UNRWA Jabalia Camp Profile
  • UN OCHA Gaza Reports
  • B'Tselem — Home Demolitions 1971
  • Human Rights Watch — Gaza Operations
  • PASSIA — First Intifada Documentation
  • UN General Assembly Resolution 194
  • Wikipedia

Palestine's largest refugee camp. 119,540 UNRWA registered refugees in 1.4 sq km (2023) — one of world's most densely populated places. Created 1948 for Nakba refugees. Still exists 76 years later — refugees still denied right of return. Completely destroyed in 2023-2026 war. Among highest population densities on earth. Repeatedly targeted in military operations. Infrastructure deliberately kept inadequate by blockade.