Israel launches wide-scale military operation in West Bank refugee camp amid clashes

By Qais Abu Samra and Said Amouri

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Israel launched a wide-scale military operation Thursday against the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarm in the northern occupied West Bank, amid clashes with Palestinian fighters, witnesses told Anadolu.

Witnesses said military bulldozers accompanied the Israeli force and destroyed the infrastructure in the camp.

Palestine's official news agency, WAFA, reported that Israeli forces imposed a tight siege on the camp, deploying military vehicles on all axes leading to the camp and closing the main street amid the flying of reconnaissance aircraft in the area.

Israeli Army Radio said the army launched a wide-scale operation in the refugee camp without providing details on the objectives or duration.

​​​​Tensions have been high across the occupied West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military offensive against the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 33,900 victims following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

At least 468 Palestinians have since been killed and more than 4,800 injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Health Ministry.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which in an interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul