The Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarem has stretched into its 12th consecutive day, intensifying an already dire humanitarian situation for thousands of Palestinian residents. The ongoing siege has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and local authorities, who describe the conditions as a humanitarian disaster marked by widespread displacement, restricted access to medical care, and escalating violence.
According to the Wafa news agency, Israeli forces have maintained a heavy siege on the Thabet Thabet Governmental Hospital, a key medical facility serving Tulkarem and surrounding areas. The blockade has severely hindered the hospital’s ability to function, with medical staff struggling to access the facility and supplies running dangerously low. Ambulances have faced significant delays, with some unable to reach injured individuals caught in the crossfire.
In a strategic move, Israeli forces have also seized the al-Adawiya commercial complex, converting it into a military barracks and surveillance hub. This transformation of civilian infrastructure into military outposts has sparked outrage among residents, who view it as part of a broader strategy to tighten control over the area. Surveillance equipment has been installed to monitor movement within the city, further intensifying the atmosphere of fear and repression.
Israeli troops have carried out extensive raids across the city, particularly targeting homes in Tulkarem’s eastern neighborhoods. These operations involve aggressive searches, field interrogations, and the destruction of private surveillance cameras. Many residents have been forcibly evicted from their homes, which are then occupied and repurposed as military outposts. Families, including women, children, and the elderly, have been left homeless, seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters or with relatives in safer areas.
Tulkarem Governor Abdallah Kamil has sounded the alarm over the scale of displacement, reporting that an estimated 85 percent of the refugee camp’s residents have been forced to flee due to the ongoing military operations. “The situation is catastrophic,” Kamil stated. “Families are fleeing with nothing but the clothes on their backs, while their homes are turned into military zones.”
Eyewitnesses describe scenes of devastation: streets littered with debris, homes reduced to rubble, and families torn apart by the relentless violence. Children are particularly vulnerable, with many traumatized by the constant sounds of gunfire, explosions, and the presence of heavily armed soldiers.
Human rights groups have condemned the Israeli military’s actions, labeling them as violations of international humanitarian law. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for immediate access to the besieged areas to provide humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies, and emergency shelter.
Despite growing international concern, Israeli officials have defended the operation, claiming it is aimed at dismantling militant networks and preventing attacks against Israeli targets. However, critics argue that the collective punishment of civilians, including the targeting of medical facilities and residential areas, only deepens the cycle of violence and fuels resentment among the Palestinian population.
As the siege continues, the people of Tulkarem face an uncertain future. With limited access to basic necessities, widespread displacement, and escalating military actions, the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen unless urgent intervention is provided. The international community is being urged to take decisive action to halt the violence and address the growing humanitarian needs in the region.
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