13 stories for 2026-02-23 · Refugees, displacement & migrant/labor rights
A report reveals that between 2015 and 2026, Palestinian residents received only 66 building permits in the West Bank, while approximately 22,000 permits were granted for Israeli settlers in the same territory. The disparity underscores the stark difference in construction authorization policies affecting the two populations in the occupied West Bank.
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reports on tactics and strategies of displacement operations aimed at achieving demographic change. The article analyzes methods employed in what is characterized as a systematic approach to altering population composition in affected areas.
A convoy of humanitarian assistance from Saudi Arabia's King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Works arrived in Gaza on Sunday, carrying food aid. The delivery represents continued international humanitarian efforts to address civilian needs in the territory.
Residents of the demilitarized zone between Israel and Palestine face severe hardship as border crossings periodically close, leaving people stranded in what is described as a stateless area. When crossing points shut down, the buffer zone transforms into an uninhabitable space where civilians are forced to survive in liminal conditions, unable to access either territory. The situation creates humanitarian challenges for those caught between the two sides.
Approximately one year ago, the Israeli military began a military operation called "Iron Wall" aimed at restructuring refugee camps in northern Gaza and eliminating the concept of Palestinian right of return. The operation has involved the dismantling of established camp infrastructure in the region.
Syrian authorities have closed al-Hol camp in Hasakah Province following the withdrawal of Kurdish forces, relocating thousands of families with suspected ISIS affiliations. A second camp, Roj, is reportedly set to close soon with Syrian officials taking administrative control, though no exact date has been announced. The closures affect approximately 8,500 people held in camps housing families of men suspected of Islamic State affiliation in northeast Syria.
A committee has been established in Raqqa to oversee the secure return of displaced Kurdish refugees to their homes in Raqqa governorate. The initiative aims to ensure safe conditions for returnees and coordinate the repatriation process. The committee's formation represents efforts to address ongoing displacement issues in the region.
The Syrian government is shutting down informal oil refineries operating in Deir ez-Zor province, a move that threatens the livelihoods of workers dependent on this sector but is expected to improve public health and environmental conditions in nearby communities. The closure marks a significant disruption to a local economy heavily reliant on informal petroleum processing operations. While the shutdown addresses documented hazards associated with unregulated refining, it leaves workers facing economic uncertainty.
Approximately 3,000 Iraqi nationals remain detained in a Syrian camp due to suspected ties to ISIS, according to an official statement. The detainees are held in a camp facility in Syria pending resolution of their cases related to alleged Islamic State affiliations. The continued detention reflects ongoing security concerns in the region regarding former ISIS members and their families.
According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, millions of delivery workers in Egypt operate without legal protections or formal employment status. The report highlights the precarious working conditions faced by this large informal workforce, which lacks access to labor law safeguards, social security benefits, and dispute resolution mechanisms. These workers remain outside Egypt's formal labor framework despite forming a significant portion of the country's gig economy.
Five bodies of migrants have washed ashore on the east side of Tripoli, Libya, according to local police officials. The discovery highlights the continued dangers faced by migrants attempting Mediterranean crossings from Libya. Libya remains a major departure point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, with numerous incidents of maritime tragedy reported in recent years.
Healthcare in remote areas across several Arab countries faces critical shortages of medical resources and personnel, according to reporting from multiple countries. In Lebanon, hospital shortages in eastern regions are raising citizen concerns. In southern Libya, patients travel hundreds of kilometers to major cities for treatment as healthcare facilities lack medicines and doctors. Jordan's "Your Dream Joy" initiative is restoring sight to children in southern border regions. Tunisia is experiencing physician migration due to insufficient medical staff.
The UN International Organization for Migration reported on February 24 that at least 606 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea since the beginning of 2026. In Libya, seven bodies of undocumented Sub-Saharan African migrants were discovered on shores near Tripoli, and seven more bodies washed ashore in Qaser Al-Akhyar east of the capital after being swept by sea currents. The discoveries underscore ongoing maritime hazards faced by migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings.