13 Palestinians wounded in clashes during IDF raid in West Bank refugee camp

Footage shows explosive devices planted by Palestinians detonating close to army bulldozers in Nur Shams, near Tulkarem; army detains 17 suspects across West Bank

By Emanuel Fabian 24 July 2023, 9:57 amUpdated at 10:40 am Edit

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

An explosion from an improvised bomb is seen in the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarem in the West Bank, amid an IDF raid, July 24, 2023. (Screenshot: Twitter)
An explosion from an improvised bomb is seen in the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarem in the West Bank, amid an IDF raid, July 24, 2023. (Screenshot: Twitter)

Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces broke out in the West Bank refugee camp of Nur Shams, close to Tulkarem, early Monday morning, with Palestinian health officials reporting at least 13 wounded.

According to the Palestinian Authority health ministry, four Palestinians were hurt by Israeli gunfire, and another nine were hurt by shrapnel. Their conditions were not immediately known.

It was unclear if those wounded by shrapnel were hit by Israeli fire or explosive devices detonated by Palestinians.

Footage published by Palestinian media outlets showed several large IEDs exploding as Israeli military bulldozers made their way through the streets of Nur Shams.

The Israel Defense Forces has used heavily armored D9 bulldozers in West Bank operations to clear streets of hidden explosives, to enable troops to safely enter and carry out arrests.

The IDF said Monday morning that troops had detained 17 wanted Palestinians, seized weapons, and neutralized explosive devices during raids across the West Bank overnight.

In a “brigade-level” operation in Nur Shams, the IDF said troops located and destroyed around ten explosive devices and detained one suspect.

“Exchanges of fire took place in the area and suspects hurled explosive devices at the forces, who responded with live fire,” the IDF said, adding that several suspects were hit.

Fifteen wanted Palestinians were detained and several firearms were seized in a number of Palestinian villages in the central and southern West Bank, the IDF said. Another suspect was detained in the Bethlehem area.

Armed clashes also broke out in the Askar refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Nablus. The IDF said troops returned fire at gunmen and used riot dispersal means.

The Palestinian Red Crescent was cited by Palestinian media as saying two people were wounded by IDF fire in Askar.

Palestinian media also reported armed clashes with IDF troops in the Jalazone refugee camp, near Ramallah.

There were no immediate reports of injuries among Israeli forces.

Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have been high across the West Bank for the past year and a half, with the military carrying out near-nightly raids, amid a series of deadly Palestinian terror attacks.

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