Palestinian killed as Israeli forces destroy explosives near Tulkarm

A Palestinian man was killed as Israeli forces destroyed explosives being stored in the Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarm in the West Bank on Tuesday morning, according to Palestinian reports.

تغطية صحفية: "مع تكبيرات الشبان.. انفجار عبوة شديدة الانفجار بجرافة عسكرية من نوع "دي 9" خلال الاقتحام الواسع لمخيم نور شمس". pic.twitter.com/llcY8JrOH3

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) September 5, 2023

During clashes which erupted as Israeli forces operated in the camp, a large explosive device was reportedly detonated under an IDF military bulldozer, with footage reportedly from the scene showing the explosion.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated that the IDF and Border Police destroyed many ready-to-use explosives in Nur Shams after receiving intelligence about them from the Shin Bet.

During the raid, Palestinians burned tires and threw explosives and fired at Israeli forces. Additionally, an IDF engineering vehicle was hit by an explosive device during the raid. No Israeli personnel were injured in the clashes.

Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades stated that they took part in the clashes in Tulkarm. The Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for activating the explosive device against the IDF military bulldozer during the raid. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades stated that Ayed Abu Harb, the Palestinian killed in the clashes, was a member of their local branch.

Explosive devices in the West Bank, including IEDs placed near roads where Israeli forces operate, have become increasingly used in recent months.

Last week, an IDF officer and three soldiers were injured after a large explosive device was detonated by Palestinian terrorists as Israeli forces entered Nablus to secure the entry of Jewish worshippers to Joseph’s Tomb. The local branch of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s military wing, the al-Quds Brigades, said that it had activated the explosive device.

On Tuesday, exports from the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel were halted after kilograms of high explosive material were discovered in a shipment of clothing headed out of the Strip.

19 Palestinians arrested throughout the West Bank overnight

The IDF and Border Police arrested 19 wanted suspects throughout the West Bank on Monday night in Ramallah, Hebron, Azzun, Aram, az-Za’ayyem, Al-Arroub, Kafr ‘Aqab, Anata, Al Am’ari Camp, Jalazone, and Al-Hadar.

Weapons and ammunition were seized during the raids throughout the West Bank. During the raid in Kafr Akab, a military vehicle was damaged after Palestinians threw Molotov cocktails at it.