The Israeli military has intensified its operations in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of two women, including one who was eight months pregnant, during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. The incident occurred early on Sunday, as Israeli forces conducted extensive operations in the Tulkarem region, which included the deployment of heavy machinery and bulldozers to raid numerous homes.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the pregnant woman, identified as 23-year-old Sondos Jamal Muhammad Shalabi, was fatally shot while her husband sustained critical injuries. Medical teams reported that they were unable to save the unborn child due to military restrictions that prevented their transfer to a hospital. In a separate incident, another woman, 21-year-old Rahaf Fouad Abdullah al-Ashqar, was also killed by Israeli forces inside her home.
Witnesses in the area described the situation as chaotic, with sounds of heavy gunfire and explosions echoing throughout the camp. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Tulkarem Battalion claimed to have thwarted an Israeli infiltration attempt into Nur Shams during the raid. Local reports indicated that Israeli soldiers also obstructed medical teams from providing assistance to the injured, compounding the crisis in the camp.
The Israeli military stated that its operations aimed to address what it referred to as "disruptive activities" within the camp. As part of the operation, a curfew was imposed in the area, and military reinforcements were reported to be moving towards the nearby Far’a camp. The ongoing military campaign has led to significant displacement, with over 26,000 Palestinians reportedly forced from their homes in recent weeks due to increased raids and demolitions.
Since a ceasefire in Gaza was declared last month, Israeli forces have escalated their actions in the West Bank, with reports of house raids, arrests, and destruction of property becoming increasingly common. Analysts have noted that the current military strategy appears to reflect a broader agenda to undermine Palestinian aspirations for statehood, with Israeli officials suggesting a need to alter the demographic landscape of the region.
Al Jazeera’s correspondents have highlighted that the tactics employed in the West Bank mirror those seen in Gaza, raising concerns about the humanitarian implications of these military operations. The situation remains tense as local and international observers call for accountability and a resolution to the ongoing conflict.