Israeli military operations in and around Tulkarem in the northern West Bank resulted in at least eight deaths on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Notably, three of the fatalities occurred due to airstrikes.
Military Defends Actions
In response, the Israeli military stated that its forces fired after militants attacked soldiers. However, it acknowledged that “some uninvolved civilians” were harmed during the operation. Meanwhile, a photojournalist captured a significant moment during the raid. The journalist documented Israeli forces detonating an explosive device allegedly planted by Palestinian militants in the Nur Shams refugee camp.
Escalation of Raids Amid Gaza Conflict
Since the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, Israeli forces have increasingly carried out raids in the West Bank. As a result, airstrikes, once rare in the area, have become more frequent. Israeli authorities argue these measures are necessary to prevent further attacks.
Rising Death Toll in the West Bank
According to Palestinian officials, Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 2023. Simultaneously, Palestinian militants have launched numerous attacks on Israeli soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel.
As tensions continue to rise, the conflict shows no signs of abating, further deepening the region’s crisis.
