Conditions in Tulkarm 'catastrophic' amid Israeli assault, locals say

Conditions in Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank are “catastrophic”, sources in the besieged camp have told Middle East Eye.

“The infrastructure is destroyed, electricity and water are cut off, there is no milk for children, no medicines, and no food supplies,” Faisal Salama, head of the camp's Popular Committee, told MEE’s reporter, Fayha Shalash.

Israel first attacked the camp last week as part of a wider offensive on the northern West Bank. For the last day and a half Israeli bulldozers have been destroying homes and several shops, while military vehicles have surrounded the entrances to the camp, Salama said. 

The Popular Committee is trying to coordinate with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to deliver the necessary food supplies to residents, but the Israeli army has only allowed the entry of milk and diapers, Salama added.

Red Crescent crews and volunteers have been denied entrance to the camp, which is home to around 20,000 people.