Israeli offensive persists in Tulkarm for 99th day


https://www.saba.ye/en/news3476332.htm

Yemen News Agency SABA
Israeli offensive persists in Tulkarm for 99th day
[05/ May/2025]
Tulkarm - Saba:

Israeli forces continue their aggression on the city of Tulkarm and its camp for the 99th consecutive day, and on the 86th day in the Nour Shams camp, amid ongoing field escalation and daily harassment of civilians and their property.

The Palestinian WAFA News Agency reported that Israeli forces detained a number of residents of the Nour Shams camp, east of Tulkarm, this morning, who had gone to their homes to retrieve their personal belongings, despite having received prior coordination to enter.

They also detained Palestinian Red Crescent Society crews who were present to support the residents, after the crew director refused a physical search by Israeli soldiers, citing the absence of female soldiers.

Local Palestinian sources reported that Israeli forces informed five families from the Manshiyya neighborhood last night, whose homes are threatened with demolition. The families are Abu Harb, Al-Alajma, Abdullah, and Shehada, and they must evacuate their homes, which consist of 15 residential units, between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Last Thursday evening, Israeli occupation forces notified the demolition of 106 buildings and homes in the two camps, including (58) buildings in Tulkarm camp and (48) homes in Nour Shams camp. Meanwhile, the ongoing aggression against these camps has led to the forced displacement of more than 4,200 families from Tulkarm and Nour Shams camps, comprising more than 25,000 citizens.

The attacks have also resulted in the complete destruction of 396 homes and the partial destruction of 2,573 others, in addition to the closure of their entrances and alleys with earth mounds.

In a related development, Israeli occupation forces raided the Abu Zahra family building in the Dhnaba suburb east of the city at dawn today, arresting Ibrahim Abu Zahra and stealing large sums of money from the family's apartments.

In other field developments, the eastern neighborhood of the city witnessed intense activity by Israeli occupation forces late last night at the Shahid Junction and Al-Salam Roundabout, including obstructions to vehicle traffic and the arrest and interrogation of a number of young men.

In another violation, enemy soldiers simultaneously played songs over loudspeakers. One soldier also chanted "Allahu Akbar" (God is the Greatest) over a loudspeaker in Gamal Abdel Nasser Square in the city center, in an attempt to provoke citizens.

Eyewitnesses reported that the city is witnessing active activity by Israeli enemy vehicles and infantry units, patrolling the streets and neighborhoods, obstructing the movement of citizens and their vehicles, and pursuing them, specifically in Gamal Abdel Nasser Square, Martyr Thabet Thabet Roundabout, Nablus Street, and Shuweika Roundabout. This is accompanied by the firing of live ammunition and sound bombs, raids and searches of homes and shops, the destruction of their contents, and the interrogation, abuse, and arrest of those present.

In a related context, the Tulkarm and Nour Shams refugee camps and their surroundings are witnessing a heavy deployment of occupation forces, firing live ammunition, sound bombs, and flash grenades, with occasional explosions.

This coincides with a tight siege of these camps, the closure of their entrances with earth mounds, and the accompanying raids and destruction of homes.

Meanwhile, the enemy continues to seize homes and residential buildings on Nablus Street and the adjacent northern neighborhood, transforming them into military barracks after forcibly evacuating their residents. Israeli vehicles and bulldozers are stationed in the vicinity.

The ongoing Israeli aggression and escalation against the city of Tulkarm and its two camps has resulted in the deaths of 13 Palestinian citizens, including a child and two women, one of whom was eight months pregnant.

Dozens have also been injured and arrested, and extensive damage has been inflicted on the infrastructure, including homes, shops, and vehicles, which have been subjected to complete or partial demolition, arson, vandalism, looting, and theft.