Clashes erupt in massive Tulkarm counterterrorism op
The IDF, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and Israel Border Police conducted a joint counterterrorism operation in the Tulkarm area overnight Wednesday, the military said on Tuesday, striking a few Hamas leaders in the West Bank city.
During the operation, soldiers encountered many terrorists, including a terrorist disguised as a paramedic who was also armed. Soldiers also dismantled numerous explosives that had been planted underneath roads.
The IDF estimated that eight terrorists were killed in the Tulkarm operation, among them a senior member of Hamas in the West Bank.
The military confirmed that among the terrorists eliminated was Ashraf Nafa, commander of the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades in Tulkarm, the military wing of Hamas, was killed. Nafa was responsible for manufacturing and embedding explosives intended to attack IDF soldiers and worked to recruit operatives for Hamas.
Another terrorist killed was Muhammad Awad, who operated in the Tulkarm area and was actively involved in shooting attacks against IDF soldiers. He also worked to raise funds to support terrorism in the area.
The operation was coordinated and carried out under the Menashe Brigade and included soldiers from the Duvdevan commando unit and the Kfir Brigade, who operated according to intelligence gathered by the Defense Ministry and Shin Bet.
In the backdrop of these operations, at least three senior commanders of terrorist organizations were eliminated, including terrorist commanders of Hamas and Fatah. The IDF has identified a trend of Hamas and Fatah joining forces in the area of the Menashe Brigade.
Two individuals were injured by bullets, one in critical condition, the Palestine Red Crescent stated. Palestinian media noted that both Hamas and Fatah operatives in the area were struck by the IDF.
Safa, the Hamas-affiliated news network, stated that three terrorists were killed. They also claimed that the Israeli military bombed the Tulkarm camp with smoke bombs.
Clashes also reportedly broke out between the IDF and terrorists in the town of Sa’ir, north of Hebron, Safa stated. The Palestinian Authority’s health ministry claimed that a Palestinian was killed in the area of Sa’ir, and another woman was taken to the Tulkarm Governmental Hospital.
Hezbollah-affiliated news network Al Mayadeen stated that two Palestinians were killed in clashes north of Hebron.
WAFA, the Palestine News & Information Agency, a network affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, claimed that IDF forces arrested a Palestinian from Burka, northwest of Nablus.
The IDF reported that the operation was part of a series of over 50 counterterrorism operations in the area since the beginning of the war.