Tulkarm still under Israeli offensive


https://www.saba.ye/en/news3482856.htm

Yemen News Agency SABA
Tulkarm still under Israeli offensive
[17/ May/2025]

Tulkarm - Saba:

The Israeli occupation forces continue their aggression on the city of Tulkarm and its camp for the 111th consecutive day, and on the Nour Shams camp for the 98th day, amidst escalating operations and tightening security measures.

The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported on Saturday that Israeli occupation forces continue to deploy military vehicles around the clock toward the city and its two camps.

They patrol the main streets, honking their horns provocatively, deliberately driving against traffic, obstructing the movement of citizens and vehicles, and frequently setting up flying military checkpoints, especially in the city center.

The occupation forces also continue to tighten their security measures in the city of Tulkarm, especially in the southern part.

Eyewitnesses reported that an infantry force deployed this morning under the Jabara Bridge, obstructing the movement of citizens and vehicles, stopping young men, checking their IDs, and interrogating them.

In recent days, the southern area of Tulkarm has witnessed provocative actions by Israeli forces.

These forces periodically close the Jabara Bridge gate for several hours before reopening it, setting up a flying checkpoint, searching vehicles, abusing passengers, and obstructing traffic.

This area is a major entrance for those coming from the villages of Kafriyat and other West Bank governorates, especially after the closure of the eastern entrance adjacent to Nour Shams camp.

In this context, the Israeli occupation continues its stifling siege of the Tulkarm and Nour Shams camps and their surroundings, preventing their residents from entering to inspect the homes from which they were forcibly displaced. This siege continues amidst the firing of live ammunition and sound bombs, especially during the night. Furthermore, Israeli forces carry out systematic attacks on civilian homes and infrastructure, transforming them into military barracks, devoid of any sign of life.

Over the past few days, Nour Shams camp has witnessed the demolition, bombing, and burning of more than 20 residential buildings, in addition to other surrounding buildings, including apartments, whose residents were forcibly displaced during the ongoing aggression.

The demolitions targeted the neighborhoods of Al-Manshiya, Al-Maslakh, Al-Jami', Al-Eyada, and Al-Shuhada, as part of the enemy's plan to demolish 106 homes and residential buildings in Tulkarm and Nour Shams camps. Tension remains high in the camp, with residents anticipating a new wave of demolitions following their forced displacement from their homes and the imposition of a stifling siege.

Enemy vehicles also stormed the Dhnaba suburb east of Tulkarm, roaming the main streets at high speed and deliberately ramming a vehicle parked along a sidewalk, causing extensive damage.

The enemy continues to seize homes and residential buildings on Nablus Street and the adjacent northern neighborhood, transforming them into military barracks after forcing residents to evacuate. Meanwhile, military vehicles remain stationed in the area, some of which have remained under enemy control for more than two months.

The ongoing Israeli aggression and escalation on the city of Tulkarm and its two camps has resulted in the deaths of 13 citizens, including a child and two women, one of whom was eight months pregnant. Dozens have also been injured and arrested, and the infrastructure has been extensively destroyed, with homes, shops, and vehicles being partially or completely demolished, burned, vandalized, looted, and stolen.

The aggression has also resulted in the forced displacement of more than 4,200 families from the Tulkarm and Nour Shams camps, comprising over 25,000 residents. Over 400 homes have been completely destroyed, and 2,573 others partially destroyed. Their entrances and alleys have been sealed off with earth mounds, transforming them into isolated areas devoid of any sign of life.