Drone attack eliminates senior Hamas and Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades commanders in Tulkarem

By Yoni Weiss

In a risky operation on Tuesday morning, the Israeli army succeeded in eliminating Azkhem Naafa, the Hamas military commander in Tulkarem, through a targeted drone strike.

According to Palestinian sources, Muhammad Abu Abdo, the commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Nur Shams camp, and several other terrorists were also killed in the attack. Initial reports indicate that the drone was specifically targeting these high-ranking terrorists.

The operation resulted in sustained exchanges of fire between IDF forces and remaining terrorists.

The leaders of Hamas and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades are known to frequently travel together in the camp. Just a few weeks earlier, they had appeared on camera after the elimination of another terrorist. Abu Abdo declared: “If one person is eliminated, a hundred will replace him… this occupier (Israel) only understands the language of bayonets.”

Residents report significant damage to the local market as a result of the attack. The terrorist background of the Nur Shams camp involves the cooperation of various groups, which has raised fears in the Palestinian Authority of an “Iranian outpost” near Tulkarem. The PA’s attempts to arrest the Islamic Jihad commander in the area had previously failed.

According to military sources, the Israeli forces used a strategic ruse to lure the senior commanders into the target area. Among those killed was an armed female fighter disguised as a medic.

This raid is part of a broader campaign by the Israeli military against terrorist activities in the refugee camps in northern Shomron. The military has recently noted increased attempts by Hamas and the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad to augment attacks in Yehudah and Shomron by providing financial support and tactical expertise.