IDF Airstrike Targets Hamas Vehicle in Tulkarm Amid Ongoing Operations

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted an airstrike in the Tulkarm area on Monday as part of a joint operation with Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). The airstrike targeted a vehicle in the Nur a-Shams refugee camp, leading to a dramatic explosion and a thick pillar of smoke rising from the scene.

According to Palestinian reports, two individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the strike. One of them, identified as Ihab Abu Atiwa, the commander of Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades in Tulkarm, was killed. The other passenger sustained moderate injuries. The airstrike is part of a broader military campaign aimed at targeting Palestinian terrorist organizations operating in the West Bank, specifically in the Tulkarm and Jenin regions.

The airstrike in Tulkarm comes amidst the ongoing IDF Operation Iron Wall, which has been targeting terror cells in Jenin and surrounding areas. This operation began last Tuesday with the objective of neutralizing terrorists and preventing further attacks. As of Monday, the IDF has eliminated at least 15 terrorists and arrested 40 suspects in the region.

The operation involves extensive military assets, including drones, helicopters, and tanks, with special forces such as the Duvdevan and Egoz units actively engaged on the ground. The IDF has reported that its efforts have successfully dismantled various terror infrastructure, including bomb caches and weapons manufacturing sites.

Hamas’ Response to the Airstrike

Hamas confirmed that the two individuals killed in the airstrike were members of its armed wing. Witnesses in Tulkarm reported a raid taking place at the time of the strike, but the Israeli military did not immediately comment on the specifics of the operation. The strike adds to a broader pattern of Israeli airstrikes targeting key Hamas figures in the West Bank.

Since the beginning of the IDF’s operation in Jenin, at least 16 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, including militants linked to Hamas and the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad. These operations have been part of Israel's broader strategy to ensure the safety of its citizens by dismantling terror cells in the West Bank.

The IDF has vowed to continue its operations while maintaining security and stability in Israel and the surrounding areas. The focus remains on thwarting terrorist activities and preventing further violence in the region.