Israeli forces withdraw from Tulkarem after most intense West Bank raids in decades
The Palestinian state news agency, Wafa, reports that Israeli forces have withdrawn from Tulkarem city and its two refugee camps – Nur Shams and Tulkarem – after a 48-hour operation that killed four local people and inflicted widespread destruction on civilian property and infrastructure.
After the withdrawal late on Thursday night, ambulance and civil defence crews were able to enter Nur Shams camp, where Israeli soldiers had raided and ransacked houses, setting some on fire, and interrogated residents during the most intense Israeli incursion into the occupied West Bank in decades.
According to Wafa, water and sewage networks in the camp have been severely damaged, as well as homes, shops and other commercial properties.
Israeli forces withdrew earlier on Thursday from the Far’a refugee camp south of Tubas, where four people were also killed and civilian property and infrastructurede stroyed.
Wafa also reported new raids and arrests in the following areas:
- Anabta town, east of Tulkarem.
- Husan village, west of Bethlehem.
- Several areas in Hebron governorate, where two Palestinians were arrested.
- A member of the Palestinian police force was arrested while passing through the Jaba military checkpoint east of occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli soldiers in Tulkarem in the north of the occupied West Bank on Thursday
Israeli air strike in occupied West Bank’s Jenin
Israel’s military said one of its aircraft has “attacked a terrorist squad” in Jenin following an “encounter with security forces”. The brief post on social media did not mention casualties.
