jnin

Jnin, commonly transliterated as Jenin, refers to a Palestinian city in the northern West Bank and to the surrounding Jenin Governorate. The city serves as the administrative center of the governorate and lies near the Jenin Refugee Camp. Jenin has a long history and has been part of various empires, with periods of Ottoman, British Mandate, and Jordanian rule before becoming part of the Palestinian territories administered by the Palestinian Authority in contemporary times. The surrounding region is largely agricultural and rural, with the city acting as a local market and service hub.

In modern times, Jenin has been affected by the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In 2002, during the Second Intifada, Israeli forces conducted an operation in Jenin and the nearby refugee camp. The event drew international attention and controversy over the scale of destruction and casualties, and subsequent reporting emphasized the humanitarian impact without confirming a large-scale massacre. Since then, reconstruction and recovery have proceeded at varying rates, with ongoing security and movement restrictions shaping daily life.

Demographically, Jenin’s urban population comprises tens of thousands of residents, with the Jenin Governorate encompassing a broader rural area and smaller towns. The local economy depends on agriculture—olive cultivation and other crops—alongside commerce, services, and small-scale industry. Education and healthcare services serve the city and surrounding communities, and cultural life includes markets, religious sites, and traditional crafts.

Notable features include the historic Old City and mosques, and the adjacent Jenin Refugee Camp, which remains a significant community and humanitarian focal point in the region.