Israeli Forces Withdraw from Tulkarm After Deadly Overnight Operation

Israeli forces withdrew from Tulkarm in the northwestern West Bank on Saturday morning following a violent overnight operation that resulted in the killing of three Palestinians. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted the raid to hunt down the killers of Elhanan Klein, a father of three from Enav who was killed in an attack last November near the town of Beit Lid on Highway 557 while returning from reserve duty.

Why this matters: The ongoing violence in the West Bank has significant implications for the region's stability and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the need for a peaceful resolution to the longstanding dispute. The escalation of tensions also raises concerns about the potential for further bloodshed and retaliation.

The IDF operation, which lasted over 12 hours, targeted terrorists in the village of Deir al-Ghusun near Tulkarm. Israeli special forces and the elite counterterrorism unit, Yamam, engaged in intense firefights with at least three terrorists who had barricaded themselves inside a house. The confrontation ultimately led to the demolition of the building.

In addition to the operation in Deir al-Ghusun, Israeli forces also arrested five wanted individuals in the nearby village of Sebastia near Nablus. The IDF dismantled defenses and breached houses in Tulkarm as they searched for a number of terrorists in the area.

The violent incidents in Tulkarm were not isolated events. In the town of Zeita, northeast of Tulkarm, Israeli forces shot a Palestinian young man near the separation barrier. The injured man was transported to the Tayibe commercial crossing, where he was received by a Palestinian ambulance and taken to the Martyr Thabet Thabet Governmental Hospital in Tulkarm. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), the young man was shot in the foot with live rounds.

Meanwhile, in the northern West Bank town of Ya'bad, west of Jenin, the Israeli army stormed the area and ran over a Palestinian young man, causing various injuries. The army carried out a search campaign in the town, closing the main street and obstructing traffic. Israeli forces also invaded the Aida refugee camp north of Bethlehem, firing tear gas canisters and concussion grenades towards citizens and homes. Several people suffered from the toxic effects of tear gas inhalation.

The IDF has been conducting regular operations in the West Bank to target terrorist groups and individuals responsible for attacks against Israeli citizens. The overnight raid in Tulkarm was a direct response to the killing of Elhanan Klein last November. While the operation resulted in the neutralization of at least three terrorists and the arrest of five wanted individuals, it also led to the death of three Palestinians, underlining the ongoing tensions and violence in the region.

Key Takeaways

• Israeli forces withdrew from Tulkarm after a violent overnight operation.
• Three Palestinians were killed in the operation, which targeted terrorists.
• The raid was in response to the killing of Elhanan Klein last November.
• Five wanted individuals were arrested in a nearby village.
• The operation highlights ongoing tensions and violence in the West Bank.