UN Condemns Deadly Israeli Airstrike in West Bank

The UN condemned an Israeli air strike on a refugee camp in Tulkarem, West Bank, which resulted in the deaths of 18 Palestinians, marking the deadliest strike in over two decades in the region. The UN Human Rights Office described the strike as 'unlawful', emphasizing a concerning trend in the use of force by Israeli security forces (ISF) that harms civilians and damages infrastructure. Israeli military sources claimed the operation targeted a local Hamas leader planning attacks against Israeli settlements. However, reports indicate that most casualties were civilians, including children, and that the attack occurred without any ongoing confrontations. Following the strike, massive public funerals took place, highlighting the rising tensions and community outrage in the West Bank amidst escalating violence since the onset of the war in Gaza. The UN has called for an independent investigation into the incident and for accountability regarding the loss of civilian lives.