TULKAREM, January 31, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces continued on Friday the forcible eviction of Palestinian residents from their homes in the Tulkarem Refugee Camp, in the northern occupied West Bank, amid an unprecedented escalated onslaught on the city and its camp.
Eyewitnesses told WAFA that Israeli forces forced families to leave their homes at gunpoint, particularly in the neighborhoods of al-Nadi and Shuhada, causing widespread panic, especially among women and children.
The witnesses further reported that these evictions were accompanied by the destruction of home contents and the detonation of several houses. The occupation forces use the evictions as a means of intimidation and pressure, under the pretext of searching for wanted individuals.
This ongoing escalation, now in its fifth consecutive day, is taking place amid dire humanitarian conditions in the camp, with residents suffering from the disruption of essential services such as water, electricity and telecommunications due to the targeting of infrastructure by Israeli bulldozers. There is also a severe shortage of food, medical supplies, drinking water and baby formula.
The Palestine Red Crescent (PRCS) teams in Tulkarem continued today to evacuate residents from the Al-Nadi area in the camp after receiving orders to leave their homes from the occupation forces.
PRCS reported that its medical teams have evacuated several patients, while its Disaster Management Team has helped evacuate 150 citizens.
Governor of Tulkarem, Abdullah Kmeil, stated that the Red Crescent teams, in an effort to alleviate the suffering of residents, began distributing food parcels, bread and essential supplies such as water and medicine in the Tulkarem Refugee Camp, which has been under Israeli onslaught for the fifth consecutive day.
In a press statement, Kmeil emphasized that the Tulkarem Governorate is facing a large-scale, systematic assault, which includes the deliberate destruction of infrastructure across multiple locations within the city, the further demolition of areas in the Tulkarem refugee camp that had previously been rehabilitated, and the forcible eviction of hundreds of families from their homes.
He further explained that the “Dignity and Relief Committee”, in cooperation with all local institutions, organizations and volunteers is working to support the displaced families. Additionally, the Health Emergency Committee and all field teams are making immense efforts on the ground.
Governor Kmeil reiterated his call to the international community and human rights organizations to halt this aggression.
He further urged citizens in other governorates and the 1948-occupied territories to stand in solidarity with Tulkarem, given the severe situation, and to help secure the needs of families affected by this military incursion.
T.R.
