Israel’s Battle with Militants in Tulkarm Refugee Camps, Act 2

1. Summary: In recent months, Israel has intensified its operations against Palestinian militants in the Tulkarm refugee camp, part of its broader campaign in the West Bank. On September 10, 2024, Israeli forces launched a new operation in Tulkarm, initially entering the Nour Shams refugee camp with armored vehicles, including D9 bulldozers, from the Nitzanei Oz settlement. After a brief presence in Nour Shams, the IDF moved towards Tulkarm Refugee Camp without facing resistance from militants. Sources within the Palestinian Authority report that militants have changed tactics due to Israeli attacks on their infrastructure, as public dissatisfaction grows and fears of a Gaza-like scenario mount. The IDF returned to Nour Shams later in the evening, prompting women and children to leave the areas under Israeli control, while men hid in homes to avoid arrest. IDF foot soldiers conducted sweeps for militants, who largely remained non-reactive, and Israeli armored vehicles continued to move between the Nour Shams and Tulkarm camps throughout the night.

IDF Enters Two Camps at the Same Time

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2. In its ongoing campaign targeting hotspots in the West Bank, Israel has been actively engaging with and killing Palestinian militants in the Tulkarm refugee camp over recent months [Reftel: https://www.jafaj.net/the-battle-of-tulkarem-april-19-2024/]. The latest incident occurred on the evening of September 10, 2024, when the IDF launched an operation in Tulkarm Refugee Camp.

3. Israeli armored units entered the Nour Shams refugee camp, located east of Tulkarm. The forces, including D9 bulldozers, advanced from the direction of the Nitzanei Oz settlement.

4. The Israeli forces did not remain in Nour Shams for long; they quickly withdrew and proceeded towards Tulkarm Refugee Camp. The IDF encountered no resistance from militants during their advance.

The Reason Militants are Not Confronting IDF

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5. Sources within the Palestinian Authority told JaFaJ that Palestinian militants in the West Bank have altered their tactics since Israel started targeting infrastructure in militant strongholds. A Palestinian security source stated, “The public has grown disgruntled with the militants due to Israeli retaliations.” The source further explained, “People fear another Gaza-like situation in the West Bank, and militants are cautious not to alienate the local population.”

6. The IDF returned to Nour Shams later in the evening, where they stayed for the rest of the night. Women and children were observed leaving areas under IDF control while men hid in homes fearing getting arrested.

7. Throughout the evening, IDF foot soldiers conducted sweeps for militants, who remained non-reactive, likely to avoid provoking a stronger response from the IDF. Several armored vehicles were seen moving between the Nur Shams and Tulkarm refugee camps.