An Israeli airstrike in the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarm has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The attack reportedly targeted a cafe in the Tulkarm refugee camp, where numerous civilians were present at the time.
The Israeli military confirmed that the air force conducted the strike in coordination with the Shin Bet security service, claiming the operation aimed to eliminate the head of Hamas in Tulkarm along with other “significant terrorists.”
This airstrike comes amid a significant rise in violence in the West Bank, following Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, which has triggered ongoing conflict in Gaza. Over 700 Palestinians have died in Israeli military actions since the attack, with the Israeli forces intensifying operations to curb retaliatory Palestinian assaults on Israeli targets.
Witnesses in Tulkarm described the strike as hitting a cafeteria in a three-story building, expressing concerns that the death toll could increase as many victims were transported to local hospitals. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) identified one of the deceased as Zahi Yaser Abd al-Razeq Oufi, alleging his involvement in a recent car bombing attempt and arms supply.
Tulkarm was previously targeted during a significant Israeli military operation in August, with the UN rights chief noting that Israeli actions in the West Bank have reached levels not seen in two decades. In the same timeframe, at least 24 Israelis, including security personnel, have been killed by Palestinian attackers, according to Israeli officials.