Three Palestinians were killed in a drone strike conducted by Israel during a raid on the Tulkarem refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. This raid is part of Israel’s near-daily operations in the region, with troops clashing with fighters from the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. Israel’s tactics during these raids, including setting fires to homes and preventing relief efforts, are seen as a form of collective punishment against the population.
Israel claims these operations are aimed at counter-terrorism, but activists and experts argue that the threat of terrorism is being exaggerated to justify the displacement of Palestinians and the expansion of illegal settlements. Refugee camps in the West Bank often harbor fighters affiliated with groups like Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Fatah who see themselves as defending their communities from Israeli raids.
The city of Tulkarem has fertile agricultural land, making it a target for illegal Israeli settlements that have depleted water resources and forced Palestinians to rely on expensive alternatives. Israeli forces use drones, helicopters, and bulldozers during raids to destroy infrastructure and homes, creating fear and instability among the population. The use of drones in particular is seen as an attempt to deter young Palestinians from joining armed resistance.
Despite Israel’s attempts to differentiate between civilians and fighters, residents like activist Shadi Abdullah insist that the whole community participates in resistance in various forms and are united in their desire for an end to the Israeli occupation. The ongoing raids and destruction in Tulkarem and other refugee camps highlight the precarious situation faced by Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank.
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