Israeli Demolition of Palestinian Homes Proceeding at Full Force

Rasa - Only days after promising the Israeli settlers and right wing parties of punishing the Palestinian people for resisting the occupation, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proceeded on Monday at full force in demolishing a Palestinian home in the northern West Bank city of Bethlehem, the second in 48 hours as more demolitions are expected in the coming days.

News ID: 442165

Date: 18 December 2018 - 11:57

RNA - Heavily armed Israeli soldiers raided Shweikeh neighborhood in the early hours and went straight to the residence of the family of Ashraf Naalweh, who was recently killed by Israeli soldiers after suspecting him of killing two Israeli settlers in the West Bank two months ago, WAFA reported.

The army used a bulldozer to knock down the walls of the first floor of the Naalweh’s two-story house, the floor where Ashraf had lived, after an Israeli court sanctioned demolishing that floor only but not the entire building.Soldiers spent at least six hours knocking down walls to make sure the Naalweh family will not be able to live in that floor any longer, damaging in the process the second floor, where another Naalweh member lives and shops in the ground floor. The army operation, which started at 3 in the morning local time ended at 9 in the morning.

Palestinians who have holed themselves inside the Naalweh residence to prevent its demolition were removed from the building by force and neighbors were also evacuated as the area was declared a closed military zone preventing anyone from being there.

Residents confronted the soldiers as they broke into Shweikeh neighborhood, throwing stones at them. The soldiers responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets at the residents causing several minor injuries, according to the Red Crescent.

Schools well called off in Shweikeh neighborhood for the day due to the presence of the army.

Israel demolished on Saturday the residence of Abu Hmeid in Amari refugee camp in Ramallah and plans to demolish more Palestinian homes in the coming days as Netanyahu has promised the settlers, his party members and the his government coalition.

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