The United Nations has condemned an “unlawful air strike” by Israel on a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, which has claimed the lives of at least 18 people. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the devastating toll of the previous day’s strike, while the UN rights office labelled it as part of a worrying pattern of Israeli forces using excessive force against Palestinians.
According to the UN, the air strike, which was carried out in the northern West Bank town of Tulkarem, is a clear example of the Israeli security forces’ systematic resort to lethal force in the region. The office expressed concern over the strike’s “widespread harm to Palestinians” and “significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.” In addition, it highlighted the fact that the air raid had targeted an entire building filled with people, citing Israel’s “flagrant disregard for its obligations.”
The Israeli army confirmed the strike, describing it as a joint operation conducted by the Shin Bet internal security service and the air force. According to the military, the target was Zahi Yaser Abd al-Razeq Oufi, a Hamas leader based in Tulkarem. However, the attack has sparked outrage among human rights groups, with a source within the Palestinian security services telling AFP that the air raid was the deadliest in the West Bank since 2000.
The UN has called for an independent probe into the incident, emphasizing that such military-like operations by Israeli security forces have resulted in disproportionate harm to Palestinians and their property. As the world watches with growing concern, the need for a swift and transparent investigation has never been more pressing.
