Israeli airstrike in Tulkarm kills Hamas commander

Israel’s military confirmed on Monday evening that an airstrike in the Tulkarem area conducted earlier in the day killed the head of the Hamas terrorist organization branch in the northwestern Samaria city.

Another terrorist was killed in the joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).

According to the IDF, the Hamas commander for Tulkarem, Ihab Abu Atiwa, participated in multiple shooting incidents, including an attack on a vehicle at the Ramin Junction on July 16, 2024, which wounded three Israelis.

The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry earlier claimed that the strike killed two people, including Abu Atiwa, and moderately and lightly injured three others who were taken to Tulkarem’s government hospital. Video shared on social media showed a burning vehicle targeted in the noon attack in the Nur a-Shams camp.

This airstrike is part of the seventh day of “Operation Iron Wall,” an offensive targeting terrorist infrastructure in northern Samaria, particularly in the Jenin area. Since the operation began, two al-Qassam Brigades commanders in Tulkarem, including Abu Atiwa, and a Jenin Brigade commander affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad have been reported killed.

The IDF announced on Monday evening that the IDF, Shin Bet and Border Police launched a counter-terror operation in Tulkarem.

Meanwhile, IDF operations in Jenin and nearby villages have resulted in over 15 terrorists killed and more than 40 arrests, according to the IDF. The army has dismantled about 20 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and numerous pipe bombs, using engineering tools to clear critical pathways, and confiscated dozens of weapons.

During the operation, soldiers from the Commando Brigade discovered an explosive device concealed inside a washing machine within a building in Jenin. Additionally, an observation command center was uncovered, containing gas canisters designed for manufacturing explosive devices.

Earlier on Monday, the P.A. Health Ministry reported one fatality and two injuries near the Qalandiya camp, attributed to IDF gunfire.