
Israel army bulldozers plough through homes at West Bank camps - War on Gaza
The army gave thousands of displaced residents just a few hours to retrieve belongings from their homes before demolishing buildings and clearing wide avenues through the rubble.
The army said it would demolish 104 more buildings in the Tulkarem camp this week in the latest stage of an operation that it launched in January during a truce in the Gaza war.
"We came back to the camp and found our house demolished. No one informed us, no one told us anything," said Abd al-Rahman Ajaj, 62, who had been hoping to collect his belongings on Wednesday.
Born in Tulkarem camp after his parents fled what is now the Israeli city of Netanya, about 12 kilometres (seven miles) to the west, Ajaj said he had not foreseen the scale of the Israeli operation.
Thousands displaced
It began with a raid on the northern West Bank city of Jenin, and quickly spread to other cities, including Tulkarem, displacing at least 40,000 people, according to UN figures.
Vacating the camp after a warning of a raid, "we would usually come back two or three days later", Ajaj told AFP.
Now left without a house, he echoed the sentiments of Palestinians of his parents' generation, who thought their own displacement in 1948 would also be temporary.
"The last time, we left and never returned," he said.
In Tulkarem, the Israeli army's bulldozers ploughed through the dense patchwork of narrow alleyways that had grown as Palestinian refugees settled in the area over the years.
Three wide arteries of concrete now streak the side of Tulkarem camp, allowing easy access for the army.
Piles of cinder blocks and concrete line the roadside like snowbanks after a plough's passage.
'Eliminate the refugee issue'
Ajaj said the destruction had been gradual, drawn out over the course of the operation, which the army has dubbed "Iron Wall".
Beyond the military value of wide access roads, many residents believe Israel is seeking to destroy the idea of the camps themselves, turning them into regular neighbourhoods of the cities they flank.
Residents fear this would threaten their refugee status and their "right of return" to the land they or their forebears fled or were expelled from in 1948.
The current Israeli government -- and particularly some of its far-right ministers, who demand the outright annexation of the West Bank -- are firmly opposed to this demand, which they see as a demographic threat to Israel's survival as a Jewish state.
"The aim is clearly to erase the national symbolism of the refugee camp, to eliminate the refugee issue and the right of return," said Suleiman al-Zuheiri, an advocate for residents of nearby Nur Shams, Tulkarem's other refugee camp, where he also lives.
Zuheiri's brother's house was destroyed last week by the bulldozers.
"The scene was painful and tragic because a house is not just walls and a roof. It holds memories, dreams, hopes and very important belongings that we couldn't retrieve," he said.
Each demolished building housed at least six families on three floors, he added.
The land allocated to the camps was limited, so residents have had little choice but to build upwards to gain space, adding an extra storey with each new generation.
Explosions rock camp
Back at Tulkarem camp, 66-year-old Omar Owfi said he had managed to make two trips into the camp now occupied by Israeli soldiers to retrieve belongings on Wednesday.
He feared becoming homeless if his home was demolished.
"They don't care what the house is worth. All they care about is demolishing. We're the ones losing. We've lost everything," he told AFP.
"They want to erase the camp -- to remove as many buildings as possible and leave just streets."
He said he feared for his children and grandchildren, as they dispersed to live with various relatives.
The Israeli supreme court froze the military order for mass demolitions in Tulkarem camp on Thursday, giving the state two months to answer a petition against them, said the Palestinian human rights group Adalah, which filed it.
But the physical damage has already been done as the army's operations continue.
As residents retrieved mattresses, wardrobes and air conditioning units from the camp on Wednesday under the surveillance of Israeli troops, gunshots rang out through the streets.
A loud explosion echoed across the city, followed by a column of dust rising as another building was apparently blown up, sending the smell of gunpowder wafting in the wind.
Follow us on:
Short link:

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily News Egypt
33 minutes ago
- Daily News Egypt
Escalation in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes intensify, ceasefire talks stagnate
Israel's war on Gaza entered its 647th day on Monday amid a significant escalation in airstrikes and artillery bombardments. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the ongoing assault has killed more than 58,386 Palestinians and injured over 139,077 since October 7, 2023. Overnight, Israeli forces struck multiple areas of Khan Younis, including the destruction of tents sheltering displaced persons in the city's western sector and the leveling of homes in the Al-Katiba and Al-Bayouk neighborhoods. The ministry reported 120 deaths and 557 injuries in the past 24 hours alone, including five aid seekers. The total number of aid-seeking victims has now risen to 838 dead and more than 5,575 injured. Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance factions have intensified their attacks on Israeli forces. Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, reported targeting an Israeli armored personnel carrier in northern Khan Younis with a guided missile. The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for destroying a military vehicle, a Merkava 4 tank, and a bulldozer east of Gaza City. They also reported launching an armed ambush on an Israeli engineering unit, resulting in casualties and a helicopter evacuation. Israeli media confirmed the deaths of three soldiers and the critical injury of another in eastern Gaza. There were also reports that Palestinian fighters attempted to capture an Israeli soldier during the clashes. Separately, several soldiers were reportedly killed in an anti-tank missile strike in Jabalia, northern Gaza. Despite the intensifying violence, indirect ceasefire negotiations continue. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff expressed 'optimism' on Sunday about the potential for an agreement, saying he planned to meet with senior Qatari officials to discuss recent developments. Former President Donald Trump also voiced hope that a resolution could be reached within days. However, skepticism remains. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to discuss a potential prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. Both ministers reportedly demanded a firm commitment from Netanyahu to resume full-scale military operations following the first phase of any deal. Hamas, for its part, accused Netanyahu of deliberately undermining the negotiations, dismissing the notion of an 'absolute victory' as a 'myth used to cover up a devastating political and battlefield defeat.' The group added that its fighters are engaged in a war of attrition, using surprise tactics that have disrupted the Israeli military's operations. Israeli Channel 14 reported that the army's current mission is to 'completely destroy Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza' to eliminate Hamas fighters entrenched in tunnels before any ceasefire agreement is reached. Channel 12 added that Israel is expected to present new withdrawal maps, including plans to maintain control over the strategic Morag corridor. On the humanitarian front, international agencies have warned of a rapidly worsening crisis. UNICEF reported that over 5,800 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in June alone. Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) noted a sharp rise in malnutrition cases at its Gaza clinics since March, attributing the surge to Israel's tightened blockade.


See - Sada Elbalad
6 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Türkiye, Egypt Explore Launch of Joint University, Deeper Education Ties
Israa Farhan Türkiye and Egypt are deepening their collaboration in the education sector, with plans underway to establish a Turkish-Egyptian University and expand academic partnerships. The announcement came from Turkish Ambassador to Cairo, Salih Mutlu Şen, following high-level discussions during the visit of the President of Türkiye's Higher Education Council to Cairo. In a post on platform X, Ambassador Şen confirmed that both sides discussed 'implementing the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on higher education', reaching consensus on 'various cooperation models, including the establishment of a Turkish-Egyptian University.' He also noted that 'Turkish universities can open departments in Egypt and are eager to engage with cooperation proposals from Egyptian institutions.' Türkiye currently hosts over 10,000 Egyptian students across its 209 universities as part of a broader internationalization strategy. The ambassador emphasized that 'Türkiye is committed to its internationalization strategy and welcomes Egyptian students.' He added that 'Our Maarif Foundation and education-focused NGOs are open to setting up educational institutions in Egypt.' Highlighting the strategic value of education-industry linkages, Şen stated that 'Türkiye's experience underscores the need to enhance university-industry partnerships and prioritize vocational and technical education to meet development demands.' He also suggested that Turkish firms based in Egypt could partner with local authorities to create 'vocational training centers tailored to industry needs.' Şen concluded by underlining the significance of Türkiye's cooperation with Egypt, calling it 'a leading education hub in the Arab world and Africa.' His remarks were delivered during the 4th Annual Education Investment Conference in Cairo. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream


Daily News Egypt
7 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt urges EU support for Gaza ceasefire, reconstruction at Brussels talks
Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Monday urged the European Union to support efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and participate in a post-war reconstruction conference, during talks with top EU officials in Brussels on regional crises and their strategic partnership. During meetings on the sidelines of a ministerial summit, Abdelatty discussed the situation with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica. The foreign minister briefed the officials on Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and to resolve outstanding issues in the negotiations. He stressed the need for an end to Israeli attacks, the siege on civilians, and the use of starvation as a weapon, and called for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave, according to a statement from his ministry. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's rejection of the displacement of Palestinians from their land and said that once a ceasefire is announced, Egypt intends to host an international conference for the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, expressing hope for broad European participation. The minister also praised the strategic partnership between Egypt and the EU and thanked the bloc for the recent approval of the second tranche of a €4 billion macro-financial assistance package for Egypt. The talks also covered the EU's planned 'Pact for the Mediterranean,' which it aims to launch by the end of the year to enhance political dialogue with southern Mediterranean countries. Abdelatty stressed the importance of the pact providing new sources of financing, mobilising more European investment, promoting free trade, and providing legal migration pathways. The meetings addressed a range of other regional issues. On Libya, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of respecting its sovereignty and implementing U.N. resolutions for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries. Regarding Syria, he stressed the need to support its unity and stability. Abdelatty also reiterated Egypt's support for the security and unity of Sudan, stressing the need to preserve its national institutions and end the humanitarian suffering of its people. He also affirmed Egypt's solidarity with Somalia and its support for the Somali government's efforts to restore security and strengthen state institutions.