Agencies/Qalandiya
Israeli forces shot dead two Palestinians when heavy clashes erupted yesterday during an operation to destroy the West Bank home of an alleged attacker, the latest in a series of punitive demolitions.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, speaking on Voice of Palestine radio, described the incident as “clear escalation, clear assassination” by Israel.
In a bid to halt a wave of knife, gun and car-ramming attacks since the start of October, Israeli authorities have moved to expedite the demolitions of suspects’ homes, a controversial measure meant to act as a deterrent.
Clashes have erupted in the past over such demolitions, but they have rarely been as deadly as yesterday’s at the Qalandiya refugee camp, just beyond a checkpoint leading from East Jerusalem to the West Bank.
The Israeli military said hundreds of Palestinians threw rocks and firebombs at security forces and that some opened fire.
A resident who gave his name as Abu Amr said he heard noises at around 2am and opened his window to check.
“There were hundreds of soldiers everywhere,” he said.
“I told my children not to move. Later there was an explosion, then afterwards there was shooting (which) lasted about 30 minutes.”
Israeli forces shot three Palestinians and two were confirmed dead by Palestinian hospital sources, with medics identifying them as father-of-three Ahmed al-Ayesh, 28, and Laith Manasra, 21.
Residents said those in the building were forced to leave to allow for the demolition.
The home on the top floor of a three-storey building was destroyed with explosives, residents said, causing damage to the other floors and nearby residences.
The home targeted was that of Mohamed Abu Shahin, accused of shooting dead Israeli hiker Danny Gonen, 25, in June. His wife and two daughters were living there, residents said.
Crumbled concrete was piled on the ground and onlookers arrived to view it.
Hundreds also gathered for the funeral for the two Palestinians killed nearby and dozens of stone-throwing youths clashed with Israeli forces at the checkpoint.
The brother of the alleged attacker who lived in the next building said “Israeli forces came and told my family we have to leave immediately because of a court decision to destroy (the house).”
“They gave us only 15 minutes to get out,” he added, giving his name only as Abu Shahin.
Qalandiya camp was established in 1949 in the wake of the creation of Israel and has grown into a densely populated town with 11,000 registered refugees.
The UN says nearly one in five residents is unemployed and around 60% are under 25.
Adnan al-Husseini, the Palestinian governor of Jerusalem, blamed Israel’s occupation for the violence.
“I am sure if they are continuing with these processes, there will be reactions like this,” he said.
Shahin’s arrest was announced in July, with Israel alleging he belonged to an armed group linked to the Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel has sought to expedite demolitions of suspects’ homes in response to the surge of violence that began in October.
“I am distressed by reports of punitive demolitions carried out by Israeli security forces of five homes in the Jerusalem, Nablus and Ramallah governorates in the last few days,” Robert Piper, UN co-ordinator for humanitarian aid for the occupied Palestinian territory, said in a statement.
“We recognise Israel’s serious security challenges today, but any law enforcement response must be consistent with international law. Punitive demolitions are inherently unjust, punishing innocent people for the acts of others.”
Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon defended the demolitions and said they would continue, adding that “our forces acted professionally” during the Qalandiya operation.
