Israeli enemy drones struck Tammun southeast of Tubas in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, claiming the lives of three Palestinians, including two children. This comes amid a large-scale campaign of raids and arrests carried out by the Israeli forces across the West Bank early this morning, accompanied by widespread settler attacks on Palestinians and their properties for the third consecutive day. The escalation follows the “Hotel Operation,” which resulted in the killing of three settlers and the injury of seven others.

According to Palestinian medical sources, the victims were identified as 9-year-old Rida Ali Ahmad Bsharat, 10-year-old Hamza Ammar Ahmad Bsharat, and 23-year-old Adam Khaireddine Ahmad Bsharat. Israeli occupation forces seized their bodies after the attack.

🔴They were mere children, innocently playing in their backyard. What offense could possibly warrant their murder?
Cousins Hamza (left) & Reda Bsharat (right) from Tammoun Boys Basic School were murdered today when the #IsraeliOccupation bombed their house in #Tubas.#PalEduMin🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/o1znTnVUDe

— Ministry of Education and Higher Education (@PalestineMoE) January 8, 2025

The strike targeted a residential area while families were nearby, leading to multiple injuries among civilians. Witnesses reported that the area was crowded with families at the time of the strike.

Morning Raid and Clashes

Earlier in the day, Israeli occupation forces raided Tammun, deploying snipers and infantry across the town, surrounding several homes, and conducting house-to-house searches. A later drone strike injured several Palestinians, including Abdul Rahman Mohammad Eid Bani Odeh, 24, who succumbed to his injuries, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The ministry confirmed that Bani Odeh was killed by a drone strike targeting a group of Palestinians. His body was also confiscated by Israeli forces.

Israeli enemy forces prevented Palestinian medical teams from reaching the injured near the strike site, citing security concerns. The Red Crescent Society reported difficulties in accessing the area due to restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation military.

5 martyrs in Tammun in the last 24 hours

Ahmad Al-Asaad, Governor of Tubas and Northern Jordan Valley, condemned the Israeli occupation military’s targeting of civilians, particularly children, in Tammun. “The claim of targeting an armed cell is baseless. The victims include two children under the age of ten and a young man who were near their home,” he stated.

Al-Asaad called on the international community and human rights organizations to intervene immediately to halt Israel’s continued attacks on civilians. “Tammun has lost five of its residents in the last 24 hours, alongside extensive destruction of infrastructure and public property,” he added.

Ongoing Raids and Arrests in West Bank Since October 7, 2023

Palestinian organizations report that 844 Palestinians, including 172 children, 16 women, and 12 elderly individuals, were martyred in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem since October 7, 2023. These numbers resulted from Israeli occupation forces’ shootings, bombings, and settler violence.

The latest victim, Abdul Rahman Bani Awde from Tammun, Tubas, raised the martyr count in Tubas to 72. Jenin recorded the highest toll with 225 martyrs, followed by Tulkarm with 196. Among the martyrs, 238 were killed in targeted assassinations and 372 during Israeli enemy raids. Additionally, the number of withheld bodies has risen to 180.

Bani Odeh was injured when an occupation drone targeted a group of young men in the town. The occupation forces kidnapped him.

More: https://t.co/N0ymNCp6UJ pic.twitter.com/YrrcdmxcIv

— WAFA News Agency – English (@WAFANewsEnglish) January 8, 2025

Israeli Raids and Arrests

Israeli occupation forces continued their large-scale raids and arrests across West Bank towns, targeting Palestinian families and homes. Today, Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm witnessed intensified operations:

In Nablus, Israeli occupation forces conducted raids in Beita and Sebastia, sparking confrontations where live bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas were used, while seven youths were detained during a raid on Askar Refugee Camp.

Meanwhile, Hebron witnessed a widespread arrest campaign in Sa’ir targeting multiple residents, and five young men were briefly detained at the Shuhada Street checkpoint before being released.

Tulkarm saw residents of Kafr Jammal and Irta enduring vehicle searches, home invasions, and arbitrary detentions during Israeli raids as settlers from the Ramin outpost fired at Palestinian vehicles passing through the area.

In Jerusalem’s Old City, Israeli forces detained two women, Maram and Hasniya Fera’awi, and raided Hazma town, firing tear gas at homes.

Settler Aggression and Restrictions

Settlers in Tulkarm’s Ramin Valley targeted Palestinian vehicles, firing randomly at passersby. Meanwhile, the Israeli military continued its closure of the Jbara Bridge south of Tulkarm for the third consecutive day, restricting movement for vehicles and residents.

Call for International Action

Palestinian officials and rights groups have called on the international community to intervene against the escalating Israeli enemy military and settler aggression, which continues to claim civilian lives and disrupt daily life across the occupied territories.

Source: Al-Manar Website