Widespread Destruction Left in West Bank Cities after Israeli Withdrawal
Heavy destruction was left as Israeli occupation forces withdrew from several West Bank cities as more than 40,000 Palestinians perform Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Occupation forces withdrew last night from the cities of Tulkarem and Tubas and nearby refugee camps last night, following a deadly and days-long offensives in the northern governorates of the occupied West Bank.
The assaults on the cities were just the latest in a wider weeks-long Israeli offensive in the Palestinian territory which has resulted in at least 50 people being killed in the last 15 days.
In Tulkarem, municipal crews have begun on Friday clearing rubble and debris from the city and its refugee camp after the Israeli offensive which saw some 20 homes were blown up or burned to the ground.
During the three-day aggression, Israeli occupation forces dug up roads using bulldozers, destroying water, sewage and power networks across the city and the refugee camp, according to residents in Tulkarem.
At least five people, including a girl, were martyred in the Israeli raids in Tulkarem. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Israeli forces also prevented medics from reaching wounded people and laid siege to several hospitals.
In Tubas, funeral of six Palestinians martyred in the latest offensive was held on Friday.
The armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) said Israeli forces killed five of its fighters in the occupied West Bank city.
The five Palestinians were members of the group’s Tubas Battalion, the group said in a statement mourning them.
Israeli occupation forces also launched an arrest campaign in cities and towns near Ramallah, Al-Khalil (Hebron) and Bethlehem, Palestinian media reported.
Elsewhere in occupied Al-Quds, at least 40,000 Palestinians performed Friday prayers at Al-Qasa holy mosque, Palestinian media sad, reporting Israeli restrictions.
Source: Agencies and Palestinian media (translated and edited by Al-Manar English Website)
