At least 18 people were killed in the West Bank refugee camp of Tulkarm, the Palestinian health ministry said, following an Israeli air strike in the area.

“Eighteen martyrs following the bombing of the Tulkarm camp by the occupation,” the Palestinian health ministry said on its Telegram account.

The Israeli army confirmed the strike on the town in the northern West Bank, describing it as a joint operation carried out by the Shin Bet internal security service and the air force, according to a brief statement by the military.

Reached by telephone, camp official Faisal Salama told AFP that the attack had been carried out by an F-16 fighter jet.

Alaa Sroji — a social activist from the area — said the Israeli plane had “hit a cafeteria in a four-story building.”

“There are many victims in the hospital,” the resident added, saying the toll would likely rise.