From the Liveblog of
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Police say 10 officers wounded in explosion during IDF raid in Tulkarem
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Police say 10 officers were wounded, including one in serious condition, as a result of a bomb blast in the Nur Shams refugee camp, close to the West Bank city of Tulkarem, earlier today.
In a statement, police say the Border Police officers were operating in the camp to detain wanted Palestinians when they came under fire and IEDs were hurled at them. In one incident earlier this morning, an IED exploded near the forces, seriously wounding one officer. Another nine officers are lightly hurt, police say.
The Israel Defense Forces published a video showing a drone strike against a group of Palestinian gunmen in Nur Shams earlier today. In a joint statement, the IDF and police say forces operated in the camp since late last night, arresting at least 10 wanted Palestinians.
כוחות הביטחון בהכוונת שב״כ פועלים משעות הלילה במבצע חטיבתי לסיכול טרור במחנה הפליטים נור א-שמס שבחטיבת מנשה.
הכוחות פועלים למעצר מבוקשים, סיכול תשתיות טרור והחרמת אמצעי לחימה>> pic.twitter.com/hUvflQOstB— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 19, 2023
Police say that officers battled Palestinian gunmen in the area, and demolished several explosive devices that were intended to have been used against the forces.
According to the IDF, the drone strike was carried out after the armed cell was identified near the forces.
The Palestinian Authority health ministry says five Palestinians were killed in the strike and overnight clashes.
The Times of Israel Community.