An Israeli airstrike in the Tulkarem refugee camp in the West Bank targeted Palestinian militants but tragically resulted in the deaths of a family of four, including two young children. The strike hit a three-story building late Thursday, causing a fire and destroying a popular cafe, leading to the deaths of at least 18 Palestinians, as reported by the territory's Health Ministry. This incident marked the deadliest strike in the West Bank since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict almost a year ago.
Paramedics worked tirelessly to search through the rubble of the cafe, collecting human remains and salvaging what they could from the devastated site. Among the casualties were the Abu Zahra family, consisting of Muhammad, a bakery worker; his wife, Saja; and their two young children, Sham, 8, and Karam, 6. The strike also claimed the life of one of Muhammad's brothers-in-law who was present in the apartment above the coffee shop at the time.
The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted several militants, including Hamas' leader in the camp, whom they accused of orchestrating and participating in multiple attacks against Israeli civilians. Tulkarem has been known as a hub of Palestinian militancy and has been a frequent target of Israeli military operations.
Since the outbreak of the conflict, Israel has conducted numerous large-scale raids in the West Bank to prevent attacks on its citizens. The violence has resulted in the deaths of at least 722 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to Palestinian health officials. In response, Palestinian militants have carried out attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians, including a recent shooting in Tel Aviv that claimed six lives.
The strike at the cafe, described as a severe blow by witnesses, left a devastating impact on the community. The owner of the cafe, Nimer Fayat, recounted the chaos that unfolded during the attack, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the destruction.
Despite claims by Israel that precautions are taken to avoid civilian casualties, relatives of the victims expressed outrage at the loss of innocent lives. Yasser Jibra, a relative of the Abu Zahra family, condemned the strike as a result of the 'criminal occupation' that disregards the presence of civilians, including children and the elderly.
The full extent of the casualties and injuries from the airstrike is yet to be disclosed by the Palestinian Health Ministry, as the community grapples with the aftermath of the tragic event.
