The situation in Nur Shams, a refugee camp near Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, reflects what many describe as an ongoing genocide by Israel against the Palestinian people. During a two-day siege by Israeli forces, the camp was left in ruins. Families, including children, faced extreme danger as Israeli armored bulldozers plowed through homes, destroying everything in their path.
Majdi, a resident whose house was targeted, recounted the terrifying moments when the bulldozers came. “The bulldozer kept coming closer to the house,” he said. “It was trying to hit the windows, smashing through the staircase and balcony.” Despite the danger, Majdi chose not to leave. “Why would I leave?” he asked. “We are staying here. We either go back to our lands or stay here and die.”
How Are Palestinians Being Targeted and Killed by Israeli Forces?
At least four men were killed in the Tulkarm area during the recent attacks, including two who were reportedly fighting Israeli forces. Among the dead was 69-year-old Ayed Abu Hajja, a disabled long-term resident of Nur Shams who was shot by an Israeli sniper as he opened a window in his home. His body was later carried through the camp’s narrow streets to his mother’s home for burial, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the Israeli military’s targeting.
The destruction in Nur Shams was catastrophic. Homes were burned, walls sheared off, and entire buildings collapsed into rubble. A small child, no more than six or seven years old, was seen picking through the wreckage of his grandmother’s house, a stark image of the suffering inflicted on innocent civilians.
What Lies Behind Israel’s Brutal Actions in Nur Shams?
Despite claiming to target “terrorists,” the reality of Israel’s actions is far from their stated intent. The genocide in Nur Shams has left houses destroyed, families torn apart, and communities in ruins. Residents like Fadwa Abu Ayad, whose home was targeted under false accusations of harboring fighters, describe their anguish. “They told us we have tunnels like in Gaza,” she said. “They dug into the floor and found nothing but a sewer hole.”
This baseless targeting of civilians shows that Israel’s real objective is to terrorize and intimidate the Palestinian people, not to dismantle armed groups. The comparison to Gaza is common among residents, who feel that what is happening in the West Bank is a smaller-scale version of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
How Are Families Caught in the Crossfire Responding?
Families like Umm Yazan’s are caught in the crossfire of Israel’s military aggression. “It feels like we’re in Gaza,” she said, describing how the army used her home to set explosives to destroy two houses across the street. Her young children were trapped in a room during the explosions, experiencing terror that will likely scar them for life.
Israel continues to insist that this is a counter-terrorist operation aimed at dismantling Palestinian armed groups, allegedly funded by Iran. However, this narrative falls apart when confronted with the stories of innocent families whose homes have been destroyed, and whose loved ones have been killed.
What Is the Human Toll of Israel’s Genocide in Nur Shams?
The toll on human life and property in Nur Shams is immense. More than 13,000 registered Palestinian refugees live in the camp, many of whom have faced harassment, violence, and destruction at the hands of Israeli forces. Israel’s indiscriminate actions—killing civilians, destroying homes, and leaving communities in ruins—have led many to label their actions as genocide.
The continued assaults on Palestinian territories, justified by Israel as necessary for security, have only increased tensions and caused widespread suffering. For the residents of Nur Shams, the message is clear: Israel’s true objective is the eradication of the Palestinian people, not the dismantling of armed groups.
Will Israel’s Actions Lead to More Conflict?
The comparison between the West Bank and Gaza has become more frequent, with many residents seeing their situation mirroring the brutal tactics used by Israel in Gaza. As the conflict intensifies, the risk of escalation is high, with the potential for even more violence and suffering.
Israel’s so-called “counter-terrorism” operations have devastated Palestinian communities, creating a humanitarian crisis. This genocide is not about security; it’s about power, control, and the systematic destruction of the Palestinian people.
Is There Hope for Peace Amidst the Genocide?
As the people of Nur Shams and other Palestinian territories endure these brutal attacks, the call for justice grows louder. International pressure is building against Israel’s actions, but the road to peace remains fraught with challenges. For now, the people of Nur Shams continue to resist, hoping that their resilience will one day lead to freedom from the terror inflicted upon them.