Hours after conducting an aerial strike targeting senior Hamas operatives in Tulkarm, signaling the expansion of Operation “Iron Wall” to this West Bank city, Palestinian journalists reported this morning (Tuesday) that evacuation notices were distributed to residents of the Tulkarm refugee camp. According to reports, the evacuation is set for a period of about a week.
Hamas Operative Eliminated in Aerial Strike
During the strike carried out yesterday, an Israeli aerial vehicle targeted a car transporting Iyad Abu-Atawe, head of Hamas’ operations in Tulkarm, who was responsible for several shooting attacks against Israelis in recent years. Another operative traveling with him was also eliminated.
This strike follows a week of fighting in Jenin, located in northern Samaria, as part of Operation “Iron Wall,” aimed at eradicating terror threats in the area.
Two Refugee Camps in Focus
Near Tulkarm, there are two refugee camps: the Tulkarm Refugee Camp, located adjacent to the city, and the Nur al-Shams Refugee Camp, situated slightly to the east. The current operation is focused on the Tulkarm Refugee Camp and Hamas’ activities there, unlike most of the military efforts over the past two years, which targeted Nur al-Shams. That camp has been a stronghold of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), known for its high-risk activities.
In August, during Operation “Summer Camps,” the IDF neutralized approximately 120 militants, including senior PIJ operatives, in Nur al-Shams.
Yesterday’s Aerial Strike:
The targeted elimination of senior operatives in Tulkarm marks a strategic shift in the IDF’s approach in the region, aligning with its broader goals under Operation “Iron Wall.”
Elimination of Hamas Terror Network Leader in Tulkarm | IDF Spokesperson
