19 October 2023; MEMO: The Israeli occupying forces, this morning, imposed a raid and a military blockade around the Nour Shams refugee camp, located east of the northern West Bank city of Tulkarm.
According to a Wafa correspondent, the military conducted home searches and used bulldozers to clear streets before imposing the blockade, severely restricting Palestinian residents’ movement.
Moreover, the Israeli soldiers were accompanied by military bulldozers that entered the camp from multiple directions causing significant damage to the area including a monument built at the entrance.
Additionally, several side streets and vehicles parked in front of residences were wrecked, public and private property in the streets was vandalised, walls were destroyed and the camp’s entrance was blocked.
During the raid, several residents were detained within their homes. According to the figures published by the Palestinian Health Ministry today, seven Palestinians, including two teenagers, were shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank, bringing the death toll in the Occupied Territory since 7 October to 72.
Israeli occupation forces frequently target Palestinians in military raids, subjecting them to violence and harassment.
Tensions in the Occupied West Bank have escalated significantly since 7 October after the Palestinian Resistance initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel.
The Resistance said the offensive was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.
In addition to the siege, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron “against Hamas”, with strikes killing over 2,750 people, including 750 children. The majority of those affected are civilians and rights groups have warned that genocide is being carried out against the Palestinian people.
Israel’s occupation of Palestinian Territories is illegal under international law.
