Israel kills two women, including pregnant 23-year-old, in West Bank raid

The Israeli military has expanded its attacks in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of two women, one of whom was eight months pregnant, during a raid on the Nur Shams refugee camp in the Palestinian territory. The Palestinian Ministry of Health issued a statement on Sunday stating that Israeli forces opened fire on a Palestinian family in the refugee camp, killing Sandos Jamal Muhammad Shalabi and seriously injuring her husband. This escalation highlights the ongoing tensions and violence in the region.

The ministry stated that medical teams were unable to save the 23-year-old woman's unborn child because the Israeli military prevented paramedics from taking the injured couple to the hospital. In another statement, the ministry said that a 21-year-old woman, Rahaf Fouad Abdullah Ashkar, was also killed by Israeli forces in her home. The obstruction of medical assistance further exacerbates the humanitarian crisis.

The Palestinian Wafa news agency reported that Israeli forces raided the refugee camp in the Tulkarm area of the occupied West Bank early Sunday, deploying heavy machinery and bulldozers, raiding dozens of homes, and flying reconnaissance planes at low altitude. Local sources told Al Jazeera Arabic that they also heard heavy gunfire and huge explosions. The Tulkarm Brigade of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad stated that they thwarted an Israeli infiltration into Nur Shams. The intensity of the raid underscores the volatile security situation.

Earlier, the Palestine Red Crescent Society also stated that Israeli soldiers prevented its medical teams from entering the refugee camp, despite reports of casualties. Israel claimed that its operation targeted alleged "sabotage activities" in the refugee camp and imposed a curfew in the area. The attack on the Nur Shams refugee camp comes as Israeli forces continue a weeks-long military operation in the northern occupied West Bank, targeting Jenin, Tulkarm, and the Faraa refugee camp in the Tubas Governorate. These operations are raising concerns about collective punishment.

These attacks have displaced more than 26,000 Palestinians in the past few weeks. Since the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza last month, Israel has increased the frequency and intensity of its attacks in the occupied West Bank. Wafa news agency reported that more Israeli military reinforcements have been deployed from the Hamra checkpoint to the Faraa refugee camp as Israeli forces continue to destroy infrastructure and private property in the area. Attacks on civilian residences and on-site interrogations continue after Israeli soldiers forcibly evicted dozens of families, some of whom are now sheltering in schools. At least eight Palestinians have been arrested in Faraa. The displacement and destruction are contributing to a dire humanitarian situation.

Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman, Jordan, said that Israel's actions in Gaza are now being replayed in the occupied West Bank. She said: "The stated goal of the military incursions (in the occupied West Bank)... is under the guise or pretext of fighting so-called terrorism." Odeh added: "But the agenda of this (Israeli) coalition government long predates October 7, 2023, which includes annexing the occupied West Bank. So in order to do that, (Israeli) ministers have publicly and repeatedly said that they must first break the idea that Palestinian freedom is possible, to cleanse the area of as many Palestinians as possible, and encourage them to voluntarily migrate." This perspective highlights the underlying political motivations driving the conflict.