The Palestinian health ministry has reported that at least 18 individuals were killed in the Tulkarm refugee camp located in the West Bank, following an airstrike attributed to the Israeli military, which claimed to have targeted a local Hamas leader.
A source within Palestinian security services indicated that this air raid marks the deadliest incident in the West Bank since the year 2000.
“Eighteen martyrs following the bombing of the Tulkarm camp by the occupation,” stated the Palestinian health ministry on its Telegram channel.
The Israeli army confirmed the strike in the northern West Bank town, referring to it as a collaborative operation conducted by the Shin Bet internal security service and the air force, according to a brief military statement.
The army accused Mr. Oufi of being involved in multiple attacks in the West Bank, asserting he was planning yet another assault.
Hamas condemned the military action, labeling it a “cruel attack” that would signify a “dangerous escalation.”
Smoke billows during an Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese village of Khiam near the border with Israel.
Tulkarm was among the numerous towns and Palestinian refugee camps targeted during a large-scale Israeli military operation against militants in the West Bank in late August.
Violence in the West Bank has intensified alongside the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated after Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.
In the aftermath of the Hamas attack, Israeli forces or settlers have reportedly killed at least 701 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Read more about the conflict in the Middle East
Israeli officials have stated that at least 24 Israelis, including members of the security forces, have died in attacks carried out by Palestinian militants during the same timeframe.
Since 1967, Israel has maintained military occupation over the West Bank, with its forces frequently conducting incursions into Palestinian regions. However, residents believe that the current raids and remarks from Israeli officials signal a significant escalation.
Retaliation
In parallel, discussions are underway in the US regarding potential strikes on Iran’s oil facilities in retaliation for Iran’s missile attacks on Israel.
When questioned about his support for Israel to target Iran’s oil facilities, President Biden responded, “We’re discussing that,” while addressing reporters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised that Iran will face repercussions for its missile assaults.
Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon informed CNN that the country possesses “a lot of options” for retaliation and will demonstrate its strength to Iran “soon.”
Residents and security sources reported renewed strikes on Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahiye, a Hezbollah stronghold, after Israel instructed people to vacate their homes in certain areas of the district.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has asserted that Iran will be held accountable for its missile attacks, with the US indicating its commitment to collaborate with Israel to ensure Iran faces “severe consequences.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while speaking in Doha, stated that Iran is prepared to respond.
G7 Calls for Restraint
The Israeli military has issued evacuations to residents in over 20 towns in southern Lebanon as it continues its cross-border incursions.
These latest evacuation orders have raised the count of southern towns subject to evacuation to 70, including the provincial capital Nabatieh, suggesting an imminent Israeli military operation against Hezbollah.
Reports from Lebanese security sources and residents confirmed that the southern suburb of Dahiye was hit by more than a dozen Israeli airstrikes.
Smoke and flames rise over the Dahieh area following Israeli airstrikes in Beirut.
For almost a year, Israel has been engaged in conflict with Hamas in the Gaza territory, recently deploying troops into southern Lebanon after two weeks of intense airstrikes amidst a escalating conflict involving Iran and the United States.
The G7 nations, which encompass the US, Britain, and their allies, have condemned Iran’s missile attacks while reaffirming their commitment to securing Israel.
However, the group also called for restraint, advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and a cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
Hezbollah claims it killed 17 Israeli soldiers.
Israel contends that its operations in Lebanon aim to facilitate the return of tens of thousands of its citizens displaced from northern Israel due to Hezbollah’s bombardment during the Gaza conflict.
According to Lebanese authorities, more than 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced due to Israeli attacks, resulting in nearly 2,000 fatalities since the commencement of Israeli operations in Lebanon over the past year, with the majority occurring in the last fortnight.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that 27 individuals were killed and 151 others injured in the previous day.
Hezbollah asserts that it has successfully foiled several land operations conducted by Israeli troops, employing ambush tactics and engaging in direct confrontations.
More than 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced by Israeli attacks.
The group has claimed responsibility for killing 17 Israeli military personnel during combat in southern Lebanon, according to its field and security sources. Israeli forces have not commented on this assertion.
Israel’s military reported the death of one soldier.
The border front with Lebanon was activated after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel a year ago in solidarity with Hamas during the conflict in Gaza.
Other Iranian allies in the region, including Yemen’s Houthis and armed factions in Iraq, have also conducted attacks in support of Hamas.
