The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that ten individuals were killed in a recent offensive against Islamist terrorism in Nur Shams, near the West Bank city of Tulkarem. The IDF has also reported almost a dozen injuries among their own ranks, as well as the detention of eight individuals and the confiscation of weapons and explosive devices. The official count, released over 40 hours since the operation began, reveals these details.

However, the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, has reported that the death toll stands at 14, with a dozen of those deaths being identified within the past day. Notably, the local leader of Islamic Jihad, Muhamad Jaber, also known as ‘Abu Shuja,’ who died on Friday, was not mentioned in the official count. Family sources confirmed his death to the Palestinian news portal, Sanad News.

In response to the situation in Tulkarem and Gaza, the Fatah party of the Palestinian Authority has called for a general strike on Sunday to protest against the loss of life. The Teachers’ Union has also announced a comprehensive strike in all schools, following the decision of the National Forces.

The Palestinian Red Crescent has reported that Israeli forces are hindering their workers from providing aid to the victims. They have also alleged that Israeli forces opened fire on one of their ambulances, although no injuries were reported. So far, twelve Palestinians, allegedly injured by firearms and beatings, are currently receiving care at the Martyr Thabet Thabet Hospital and the Al-Isra Specialized Hospital.

This offensive comes amidst a surge in violence since 2023, which has intensified following Hamas’ attacks on Israeli territory. These attacks resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and nearly 240 people being kidnapped, prompting an Israeli military operation in Gaza. Islamist sources claim that, since the October 7th Hamas attacks, over 460 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli security forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.