On 3 October 2024, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) conducted an airstrike on the Tulkarm Camp – a Palestinian refugee camp – in the West Bank. At least 20 people were killed, including 12 militants.[1] It was the first Israeli strike in the area since 2002 during Operation Defensive Shield.[1] Nour Odeh called it "the largest and deadliest air strike that we’ve seen in the occupied West Bank for over 20 years".[2] The airstrike was a joint operation between the IDF and Shin Bet against Hamas.[3]
| 2024 Tulkarm camp airstrike | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2024 Israeli military operation in the West Bank | |
  Tulkarm camp Location in the West Bank | |
| Location | Tulkarm, West Bank, Palestine |
| Date | 3 October 2024 |
| Target | Zahi Yaser Abd al-Razeq Oufi |
Attack type | Airstrike |
| Deaths | 20+ Palestinians |
| Perpetrator |  Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet |
Bombing
The bombing was aimed at a busy coffee shop in the al-Hamam neighbourhood in Tulkarm Camp, and at least one missile hit a cafe in the camp.[4] It was one of the largest airstrikes on the West Bank in more than two decades.[5]
The IDF and Shin Bet stated that Zahi Yaser Abd al-Razeq Oufi, a Hamas commander planning to carry out an attack on the first anniversary of the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel, was killed alongside six other members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), including Ghaith Radwan, a senior PIJ commander. Hamas later confirmed Oufi as their commander, stating that he was killed alongside seven other members, while PIJ confirmed that Radwan was a commander of their group.[6]
Laith Jaar, an Al Jazeera journalist who was covering the bombing, was assaulted by a Palestinian Authority security officer, who threatened to shoot him. Jaar was subsequently arrested and detained by the PA security forces,[7][8] but was released the next day.[9]
Reactions
International
The United Nations condemned the airstrike, calling it unlawful.[10] The German Foreign Ministry stated on X that “The high number of civilian casualties in an Israeli airstrike in Tulkarem is shocking. In the fight against terror, the Israeli army is obliged to protect civilians in the West Bank.”[11]
Palestinian entities
A spokesman for President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas called the attack a "heinous crime" against civilians.[2] The Palestinian news agency WAFA said the attacks "will not bring security and stability to anyone, but will drag the region into more violence".[12] Hamas condemned the strike but stopped short of confirming Oufi's death.[13] Hamas later confirmed his death.[14]
See also
References
- ^ a b "IDF jets conduct strike in Tulkarm, eliminate Hamas commander responsible for West Bank car bombing". The Jerusalem Post. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ a b Staff, Al Jazeera. "Israeli air attack on West Bank's Tulkarem camp kills at least 18: Ministry". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ Staff, A. O. L. (3 October 2024). "Israeli air strike kills 18 people in occupied West Bank". www.aol.com. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "At least 18 killed in massive Israeli strike on Tulkarm in occupied West Bank". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ Sawafta, Ali. "Deadly Israeli strike in West Bank shows how war is spreading". Reuters. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (4 October 2024). "18 said killed in Tulkarem airstrike on Hamas commander planning imminent attack". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ "Al Jazeera condemns the assault on its journalist Laith Jaar by Palestinian Security". Al Jazeera Media Network. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Journalist groups condemn Palestinian Authority's attack on Al Jazeera journalist". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
- ^ "أمن السلطة الفلسطينية يفرج عن الزميل ليث جعار". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ "UN condemns Israel's 'unlawful air strike' in Tulkarem which killed 18". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "Pointing to high number of civilian casualties, Germany pans 'shocking' IDF strike in West Bank". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "Israel says it killed Hamas commander in West Bank strike that left 18 dead". Reuters.
- ^ Vinall, Frances (3 October 2024). "Israeli airstrike in West Bank kills 18, Palestinian officials say". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Israeli strike kills Hamas commander in occupied West Bank". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 5 October 2024.