TULKARM: It has become evident that the frequent and sudden incursions conducted by Israeli occupation forces, employing heavy machinery, bulldozers, and military vehicles into cities and refugee camps in the West Bank, primarily aim at killing, destroying infrastructure, and vandalizing homes and properties of Palestinian civilians.
Locals believe that such attacks and provocative practices, along with the resulting tense atmosphere, fear, and disruption of daily life in cities, towns, and refugee camps, are geared towards imposing a policy of fait accompli and extinguishing any hope for the end of the occupation.
These assaults, executed with significant force and military presence, include the intensified deployment of Israeli military vehicles in refugee camps around cities and intensive patrols along the Israeli segregation barrier, particularly in the northern West Bank.
Invariably, these raids commence in the early hours of the morning but, in recent times, have extended into late-night hours, lasti
ng for several hours or even days. During these incursions, Israeli forces engage in bulldozing, destruction, firing live ammunition, house invasions, detaining residents, physical assaults, frequent arrests, and, at times, casualties.
The city of Tulkarm, housing the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps, situated at the eastern main entrance of the city, has become a consistent target for Israeli assaults. The Israeli occupation continuously directs its aggression and violence towards these camps, considering them symbols of resistance.
In these camps, scenes are mixed as the deafening sound of the well-known armored D9 bulldozers echoes, recently used by the occupation. Citizens witness the aftermath: destruction, indiscriminate firing, house invasions, detainment of residents, verbal abuse, physical assault, recurring arrests, and sometimes casualties.
The D9 bulldozer is one of the massive armored bulldozers used by the Israeli occupation during its incursions into West Bank camps, following its aggress
ion on the Gaza Strip since October 7. It is a destructive vehicle used to destroy the infrastructure of roads and clear paths for other military vehicles and soldiers.
Last night, the Nur Shams refugee camp experienced a harrowing night as more than 50 Israeli vehicles invaded its neighborhoods. This marked the second invasion within a week, the third within the current month, and the fourth since the Israeli aggression on Gaza, where 18 of the camp’s residents lost their lives.
The problem lies in the fact that Nur Shams camp is situated on the main road connecting the city to the towns of Anabta and Balaa and the other villages and towns east of Tulkarm. This location has turned it into a route for Israeli military vehicles and destructive bulldozers, intentionally wreaking havoc, demolishing streets, vehicles, and damaging the water supply network.
The destruction extends to the commercial shops and the walls surrounding homes. Deadly stray bullets fired by Israeli soldiers penetrate windows, walls, an
d doors, not to mention the missiles launched by drones towards homes and gatherings of youth within the neighborhoods.
The occupation makes no distinction between one citizen and another; everyone is a target, whether stationary or in motion. Hence, the majority of residents cannot remain in their homes, especially those situated along the main street of the camp or at its entrance. They are forced to seek shelter in distant homes within the camp.
Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA