IQN (NewsDesk): Hundreds of Palestinian families have been forced from their homes in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron as Israeli forces demolish buildings in response to a shooting attack that killed two Israeli soldiers.
Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on soldiers at a checkpoint near Hebron on Friday, killing two and wounding three. Israel’s military said the two attackers were shot dead after a gunfight of about 20 minutes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the scene and said the military would demolish the neighbourhood the attackers came from and completely transform it. He ordered a full military closure of Hebron.
Bulldozers began demolishing buildings near the site within hours. Residents said soldiers gave families five minutes to leave. Palestinian officials declared a state of emergency and said a further 2,500 people face evacuation. Demolishing the homes of attackers is common Israeli practice, which rights groups criticise as collective punishment banned under international law. Human rights monitors have urged international bodies to intervene to prevent mass displacement
