TULKARM, Friday, January 12, 2024 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces have left extensive destruction to the infrastructure in Nour Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank province of Tulkarm, following a 7-hour raid which concluded this early morning.
Crews of the Ministry of Public Works and the Tulkarm Municipality began the removal of debris, barriers, and maintenance of some streets in the camp and neighboring areas shortly following the wide-scale Israeli raid.
Hakim Abu Safiya, the head of the emergency department at Tulkarm Municipality, told WAFA that this Israeli military incursion was the broadest and most inclusive attack in years, causing significant destruction to the infrastructure, including sewage, water, and electricity. He added that no street or alley inside the camp escaped damage and sabotage.
He said the destruction of the camp's infrastructure affected water, electricity, and telecom networks, causing a complete halt of these essential services in the camp.
Residents reported that Israeli bulldozers deliberately closed many entrances to homes in the main square within the camp, using earth and asphalt barriers. This prevented them from leaving their homes, describing this assault as the most extensive in terms of deliberate destruction of infrastructure.
Random and intense gunfire from Israeli soldiers also caused damage to windows, doors, and properties of local residents and their businesses, exacerbating the suffering of the local population, who endure property destruction, sabotage, and explosions with each Israeli attack, local sources said.
Earlier last night, Israeli occupation forces, accompanied by four bulldozers, invaded Tulkarm City and Nour Shams Camp, continuing the incursion until the early hours of the morning.
WAFA correspondent reported that the Israeli forces imposed a strict siege of the camp from all directions, while sniper units were deployed on the rooftops of buildings surrounding the camp.
The occupation forces leveled Nablus Street, adjacent to the main entrance of the camp, and blocked it with earth barriers, she added. The forces further destroyed stalls near the camp and invaded several buildings and homes in the camp, conducting extensive searches, interrogating residents, and turning high-rise buildings into military outposts.
M.N
