The Palestinian health ministry has reported a grievous loss of life in the Tulkarm refugee camp situated in the West Bank, where at least 18 individuals were tragically killed due to an Israeli airstrike. This attack was purportedly aimed at eliminating a Hamas commander, whose presence was significant in the region.
A representative from the Palestinian security services described this air raid as the most catastrophic event in the West Bank since the year 2000, highlighting the escalation of violence in recent times.
“Eighteen martyrs have fallen due to the bombings executed on the Tulkarm camp by the occupiers,” the Palestinian health ministry conveyed on its Telegram channel, emphasizing the tragedy of the situation.
The Israeli military acknowledged the airstrike on the northern West Bank town, deeming it a coordinated mission conducted with the Shin Bet internal security agency alongside the air force. This information was detailed in a brief statement released by the military.
Israeli forces claimed that Mr. Oufi, the targeted Hamas figure, was deeply involved in several attacks across the West Bank and was plotting additional strikes at the time of the air raid.
Hamas has sharply criticized the bombing, characterizing it as a “barbaric attack” that signifies a troubling escalation in the ongoing conflict.
As thick, ominous smoke billowed from the site of the Israeli airstrike, the conflict escalated further, widening its geographic impact to include areas such as the Lebanese village of Khiam, which sits conveniently close to the Israeli border.
Tulkarm has previously been a focal point among various towns and Palestinian refugee camps that faced intense Israeli military operations in late August, which targeted militants in the West Bank region.
Compounding this violence, the ongoing conflict in Gaza has further intensified since Hamas’s initial assault on Israel on October 7. The aftermath of that attack has seen Israeli troops and settlers reportedly kill around 701 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to figures released by the Palestinian health ministry.
Further complicating matters, Israeli authorities have stated that at least 24 individuals, including security personnel, have lost their lives due to attacks by Palestinian militants during this same volatile period.
Israel’s military occupation of the West Bank dates back to 1967. While incursions into Palestinian territories are not uncommon, residents assert that the recent military actions and rhetoric from Israeli officials mark a significant escalation in hostilities.
In a related development, the United States has initiated discussions concerning possible strikes against Iranian oil infrastructure, retaliation for Iran’s missile assault on Israel. President Biden, responding to queries about supporting Israeli strikes on Iran, remarked, “We’re discussing that,” reflecting the gravity of the situation.
In the face of these events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Iran will face consequences for its missile barrage against Israel. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told CNN that the nation holds “a multitude of options” for retaliation, promising to demonstrate its resolve “soon.”
In the southern suburbs of Beirut, specifically in Dahiye—a stronghold for the Iran-aligned group Hezbollah—Israeli strikes resumed around midnight, as residents reported that local authorities had urged people to evacuate certain areas.
As tensions reached a boiling point, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that Iran would be held accountable for its missile attack, with the U.S. echoing a commitment to ensure that Iran faces “severe consequences.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking recently in Doha, asserted that Iran is poised to respond decisively to the unfolding events.
Amidst these rising tensions, the Group of Seven (G7) nations, comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, and other allies, condemned Iran’s missile operations while simultaneously reiterating their commitment to Israel’s defense. They have also urged restraint, advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
Hezbollah has publicly declared responsibility for killing 17 Israeli soldiers amid the ongoing clashes. In response, the Israeli military has stated that their operations in Lebanon are focused on allowing the safe return of tens of thousands of citizens who were forced to evacuate northern Israel due to the onslaught by Hezbollah.
An alarming statistic surfaced from Lebanese health authorities indicating that over 1.2 million Lebanese individuals have been displaced by ongoing Israeli military actions. Reports also claim nearly 2,000 fatalities since the onset of these attacks, most occurring in the past fortnight alone.
Recent figures from Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 27 individuals were killed and 151 others wounded in just the previous day, underscoring the scale of humanitarian suffering caused by the conflict.
Hezbollah has asserted that they have successfully repelled several Israeli ground operations, utilizing ambush tactics and engaging in direct combat. The situation along the borders continues to be precarious, with both sides poised for further conflict, reflecting the deeply entrenched hostilities in the region.
The cycle of violence persists, fueled by longstanding grievances, with Iran’s regional allies, such as the Houthis from Yemen and armed factions in Iraq, also launching operations in a show of solidarity for Hamas in its ongoing struggle against Israel.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
