TULKARM, May 26, 2025 (WAFA) – The Israeli occupation forces continue their aggression on the city of Tulkarm and its camp for the 120th consecutive day, and on the 107th day in the Nur Shams camp, amidst escalating violence, ongoing provocations, and detentions of civilians.
WAFA correspondent reported that the occupation forces sent military reinforcements to the Tulkarm camp and its surroundings this morning, following the announcement yesterday of the plan to demolish homes and residential buildings, which they had announced on the first of this month.
The correspondent added that the occupation forces pursued citizens, the owners of the homes threatened with demolition, as they attempted to enter the camp to evacuate their belongings.
They detained a number of them and searched them after confiscating their ID cards, despite having previously granted them permission to enter. This measure also extended to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society's crews and volunteers.
Local sources reported to WAFA that the occupation forces have given citizens in 20 residential buildings in the "Al-Akasha" and "Daba Umm Jawhar" neighborhoods a deadline to evacuate the contents of their homes, in preparation for their demolition.
In a surprise move, the occupation forces changed the route of entry to the camp, having previously announced that entry would be through the entrance opposite the traffic lights on Nablus Street. However, the occupation soldiers prevented residents from entering through this entrance and forced them to return to the main northern entrance, under threat.
At the same time, the occupation forces continue to impose a stifling siege on the Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps, accompanied by occasional gunfire and explosions. After midnight, the occupation forces set fire to the Manshiyya neighborhood in Nur Shams camp.
In recent days, Nur Shams camp has witnessed a demolition campaign that has affected more than 20 residential buildings in its main neighborhoods, damaging neighboring buildings. This is part of the occupation's plan to demolish 106 buildings in the two camps, including 58 in Tulkarm camp and 48 in Nur Shams camp, to open roads and alter their geographical features.
The occupation forces detained two young men, Uday al-Anbas, at dawn today, from his home in the Dhanaba suburb east of the city, and Muhammad Farhana, after raiding his home in the Ezbet al-Jarad suburb southeast of Tulkarm.
Occupation forces also raided the home of Issam Odeh, the secretary of the National Gathering of Martyrs' Families, in the southern neighborhood of the city, for the second time within 24 hours. They subjected him and his family to interrogation, abuse, and threats of detentions, all to pressure his son, Amir, to surrender.
Yesterday, occupation forces detained Odeh and his daughter, Sarah, for several hours, especially since he has been subjected to several detentions recently following repeated raids on his home. His two sons, Muhammad and Ismail, are currently in Israeli prisons and are subjected to administrative detention without charge or trial.
Meanwhile, the city is witnessing intensive, round-the-clock activity by occupation forces and infantry units. They patrol the main streets and neighborhoods, obstructing the movement of citizens and vehicles by honking their horns in a provocative manner, driving against traffic, and setting up sudden checkpoints, particularly in the central market, Nablus Street, Shuweika Roundabout in the northern neighborhood, and the street adjacent to the Martyr Thabet Thabet Government Hospital.
Occupation forces also continue to seize homes and residential buildings on Nablus Street and the adjacent northern neighborhood, after forcibly evacuating their residents and converting them into military barracks. Some of these buildings have been under occupation for more than two months.
Nablus Street, which connects the Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps, has also suffered significant damage after the occupation forces placed intermittent earth mounds along its length several months ago. This significantly impacted vehicle traffic and exacerbated the suffering of residents. This is in addition to the bulldozing and excavation work they carried out, particularly at the entrance to the northern Tulkarm refugee camp.
The ongoing aggression has so far left 13 civilians dead, including a child and two women, one of whom was eight months pregnant. Dozens have also been wounded and detained, and infrastructure, homes, shops, and vehicles have been destroyed by demolition, arson, and looting.
This escalation has displaced more than 4,200 families from the two camps, representing over 25,000 citizens. It has also led to the complete destruction of more than 400 homes and the partial destruction of 2,573 others. Furthermore, the entrances and alleys of the camps have been sealed off with earth mounds, transforming them into isolated areas almost devoid of any signs of life.
K.T
