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Israeli Forces Set Homes Ablaze in Nur Shams Camp Amid Ongoing Demolitions in Tulkarem

Tulkarem: Israeli occupation forces set fire to several homes Sunday evening in Nur Shams refugee camp, east of Tulkarem, as part of an ongoing military onslaught and siege that has now entered its 162nd consecutive day.

According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, local sources reported that Israeli forces set fire to several homes in the al-Manshiya neighborhood of the camp. This occurred amid a wide deployment of military vehicles and infantry units that have taken over civilian homes, converting them into military outposts after forcibly evicting residents. Soldiers have also been firing live ammunition at anyone attempting to approach the camp.

In recent weeks, the Nur Shams camp has faced widespread demolitions, with dozens of residential buildings destroyed. These operations are part of an Israeli plan to demolish 106 structures in the Nur Shams and Tulkarem camps, including 48 buildings already leveled in Nur Shams alone. This has resulted in vast destruction and the carving of wide roads that have fragmented the camp's neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers continued large-scale demolition work in Tulkarem refugee camp, which began last week, targeting more residential buildings at a rapid pace. The siege on Tulkarem Camp has now entered its 175th day, with the Israeli plan including the demolition of 104 buildings comprising around 400 housing units.

Recent weeks have seen several neighborhoods in the camp severely affected, leaving thousands of families homeless. The ongoing offensive has led to the forced displacement of over 5,000 families, more than 25,000 Palestinians, from the Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps. Over 600 buildings have been completely destroyed, while 2,573 homes have sustained partial damage. Both camps remain sealed off with barricades, turned into desolate zones, with residents barred from reaching their homes or recovering belongings, as Israeli forces continue to fire live rounds at anyone who comes near.