2024 Tulkarm Camp Airstrike
Bombing
The bombing was aimed at a busy coffee shop in the al-Hamam neighbourhood in Tulkarm Camp, and at least one missile hit a cafe in the camp.
The IDF and Shin Bet stated that Zahi Yaser Abd al-Razeq Oufi, a Hamas commander planning to carry out an attack on the first anniversary of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, was killed alongside six other members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), including Ghaith Radwan, a senior PIJ commander. Hamas later confirmed Oufi as their commander, stating that he was killed alongside seven other members, while PIJ confirmed that Radwan was a commander of their group.
Laith Jaar, an Al Jazeera journalist who was covering the bombing, was assaulted by a Palestinian Authority security officer, who threatened to shoot him. Jaar was subsequently arrested and detained by the PA security forces.
Reactions
International
The United Nations condemned the airstrike, calling it unlawful. The German Foreign Ministry stated on X that “The high number of civilian casualties in an Israeli airstrike in Tulkarem is shocking. In the fight against terror, the Israeli army is obliged to protect civilians in the West Bank.”
Palestinian entities
A spokesman for President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas called the attack a "heinous crime" against civilians. The Palestinian news agency WAFA said the attacks "will not bring security and stability to anyone, but will drag the region into more violence". Hamas condemned the strike but stopped short of confirming Oufi's death. Hamas later confirmed his death.
See also
- Israeli incursions in Tulkarm
- Israeli incursions in the West Bank during the Israel–Hamas war
- Refugee camp airstrikes in the Israel–Hamas war
References
- ^ "IDF jets conduct strike in Tulkarm, eliminate Hamas commander responsible for West Bank car bombing". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ Staff, Al Jazeera. "Israeli air attack on West Bank's Tulkarem camp kills at least 18: Ministry". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
- ^ Staff, A. O. L. (2024-10-03). "Israeli air strike kills 18 people in occupied West Bank". www.aol.com. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ "At least 18 killed in massive Israeli strike on Tulkarm in occupied West Bank". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (2024-10-04). "18 said killed in Tulkarem airstrike on Hamas commander planning imminent attack". Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ^ "Al Jazeera condemns the assault on its journalist Laith Jaar by Palestinian Security". Al Jazeera Media Network. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ "Journalist groups condemn Palestinian Authority's attack on Al Jazeera journalist". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ "UN condemns Israel's 'unlawful air strike' in Tulkarem which killed 18". Times of Israel.
- ^ "Pointing to high number of civilian casualties, Germany pans 'shocking' IDF strike in West Bank". pp. Times of Israel.
- ^ "Israel says it killed Hamas commander in West Bank strike that left 18 dead". Reuters.
- ^ Vinall, Frances (3 October 2024). "Israeli airstrike in West Bank kills 18, Palestinian officials say". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Israeli strike kills Hamas commander in occupied West Bank". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
