Israeli Army Occupies Palestinian Business, Leaves it in Ruins

Thu Oct 23 2025 00:41:25 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Nasser Faratawi recounts how the Israeli Defense Forces took over his property in Tulkarm, using it as a base, ultimately leading to its destruction.

Nasser Faratawi's family home and business in Tulkarm, West Bank, were seized by the Israeli military during an operation and subsequently used as an army base for three months. Following their withdrawal, the property was set on fire, leading to significant destruction and loss for Faratawi. This incident is part of broader military actions in the region, raising concerns over the impact on Palestinian civilian life.

The Israeli army's occupation of a Palestinian business in Tulkarm has resulted in devastation for local businessman Nasser Faratawi. After the military seized his property on March 3, 2025, they used it as a base for several months before setting it ablaze, leaving behind charred remains and a devastated community.

Nasser Faratawi holds up a blackened garland of silicone flowers and a singed Ramadan lantern as he picks through the charred ruins of what was his popular party shop in Tulkarm in the north of the occupied West Bank. They came and destroyed me, says Nasser, reflecting on the destruction of his family's home and business.

While the Israeli military claims it operates within international humanitarian law, the reality of Faratawi's experience illustrates the complex and often tragic reality on the ground in the West Bank. The Faratawi family was given only an hour and a half to vacate their home, which was then repurposed as an army base for 3.5 months, before being set alight. The incident reflects a broader pattern of military operations in Palestinian territories that frequently leads to civilian property destruction. The United Nations reports an alarming increase in deaths and property damage across the West Bank linked to Israeli military actions.

Faratawi's story is not an isolated incident; many Palestinian homes have been occupied for military purposes, leaving families to return to ruined houses or none at all. His property, which was home to a thriving business, now stands as a stark testament to the ongoing conflict.

As he assesses his losses, estimated at $700,000, Nasser expresses a yearning for peace and a return to normalcy for his family and others in his community. He appeals for international support, emphasizing that he is just an ordinary businessman wanting to live in peace despite witnessing the destruction of his life’s work.