On Wednesday, Israeli occupation forces invaded Tulkarem in the northwestern part of the occupied West Bank, assaulting civilians and firing tear gas and concussion grenades.
Media sources reported that the soldiers stationed themselves near Thabet Thabet Hospital in the city center, obstructing the movement of civilians and vehicles, and preventing passage.
They fired tear gas and concussion grenades to intimidate the public, especially as the market was crowded with shoppers during the afternoon hours.
In a related incident, the soldiers abducted several civilians after chasing them as they attempted to return to Nur Shams refugee camp to retrieve belongings and check on their homes.
The soldiers also intensified the firing of tear gas in several areas, particularly near Saif Abu Lebda Square close to the Tulkarem camp and around the cemetery, aiming to prevent civilians from accessing the camp.
Nur Shams refugee camp has been subjected to ongoing escalation by Israeli forces, who have imposed a siege on it and surrounding areas.
This has been accompanied by invasions involving military vehicles, bulldozers, and infantry units targeting neighborhoods such as Al-Manshiyya and the Al-Maslakh area.
These invasions have included violent searches of homes and buildings, destruction, arson, and widespread damage to infrastructure, forcing thousands of Palestinians to flee.
Israeli forces have continued their aggression against Tulkarem and its refugee camp for 66 consecutive days, and against Nur Shams camp for 53 days. This escalation has involved military reinforcements, home invasions, and abductions.
So far, the ongoing offensive has resulted in the deaths of 13 civilians, including a child and two women—one of whom was eight months pregnant. Dozens have been injured or abducted, and over 4,000 families have been forcibly displaced from the two camps, along with numerous families from the city’s northern neighborhood.
Israeli occupation forces have seized homes, converting several into military outposts, and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including bulldozing streets, destroying electricity and water networks, and the displacement of thousands of Palestinians.
