VIDEO: Surviving the occupation in flashpoint Qalandiya camp

Life in the flashpoint Qalandiya camp has dramatically changed in the last six months with residents complaining of near daily raids by Israeli forces.

More than 14 young people from the camp, located in the West Bank between Jerusalem and Ramallah, have been killed since the latest wave of violence erupted last October.

Many have been alleged attackers but others have been killed while protesting.  

The families who are left behind feel stranded between grief and pride, mourning the camp’s young while also understanding why they chose to act out in a violent way.

On 1 March, two Israeli soldiers got lost and managed to enter the camp accidentally. The ensuing clashes, which saw masses of reinforcements arrive to rescue the men as Palestinian youths threw stones and Molotov cocktails, has left deep scars. Many neighbouring houses have clearly been charred by the ensuing blazes with the soldier’s rolled-over army vehicle left on the street long after the incident.

A young photojournalist, Iyad Sajdeya, was also killed. His parents told MEE of the daily struggle of moving on amidst the ruins of Qalandiya. MEE also spoke to the father of Anan Abo Habseh, another youth who was shot dead after a stabbing attack near Bab Aljadid in Jerusalem. As part of its policy to punish relatives for attacker's crimes, Israel has demolished the family home leaving his relatives frustrated and further fuelling tensions in the camp.