TULKARM, April 19, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces on Saturday evening assaulted WAFA photographer Wafa Awwad during a violent raid on his home in the Al-Rabay’ah neighborhood in the city of Tulkarem, north of the occupied West Bank, damaging property and terrifying his family.

Awwad said that Israeli soldiers stormed his home without warning, physically assaulted him with severe beatings while hurling insults and verbal abuse. “They attacked me brutally and cursed me repeatedly, then confiscated my press card, ID, and mobile phone,” he reported.

Despite clearly identifying himself as a press photographer, soldiers vandalized the contents of his home, smashing furniture and other belongings in what Awwad described as an act of vengeful hatred.

In a related incident, Israeli forces also raided homes belonging to the Awwad family in the Al-Hadayeida neighborhood of Tulkarem, including the residences of brothers Walid and Raed Awwad. Soldiers damaged property, confiscated phones and ID cards from residents—including women—and detained 15-year-old Ahmad Raed Awwad, blindfolding and taking him to an undisclosed location.

Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers carried out widespread destruction of streets and residential areas in Tulkarm refugee camp, including sealing the camp’s western entrance near the Al-Muqata’a neighborhood with earth mounds. Military forces continue to maintain a heavy presence throughout the camp and have closed several entrances with barbed wire.

In a serious escalation, Israeli troops forcibly displaced around ten families from the Jabal Al-Nasr area of Nour Shams refugee camp to the east and from the western part of the camp, warning more families they would be removed by Sunday. The forcible evictions were carried out amid intense gunfire, spreading panic among residents.

M.N