Israeli Troops Demolish West Bank Palestinian Home

On Wednesday, Israeli soldiers destroyed the home of a Palestinian, Basil Shehadeh, who is accused of aiding in an attack that resulted in the death of four Israelis near a West Bank settlement in June. Witnesses reported that Basil Shehadeh was arrested for allegedly assisting two Palestinians, Muhannad Shehadeh and Khaled Sabah, in carrying out the shooting at a gas station near the Eli settlement. Israeli forces later killed Muhannad Shehadeh and Khaled Sabah, while Basil Shehadeh was apprehended.

During the night, troops entered the village of Orif and encircled the house of Basil Shehadeh. According to Adel al-Amer, the secretary of the village council, the family was forced to vacate the three-story building before the second floor was detonated.

The Israeli military confirmed the demolition of the house, stating that it followed the destruction of homes belonging to others implicated in the same attack. Israel often demolishes the homes of Palestinians involved in attacks, claiming it serves as a deterrent. However, this practice is criticized as a form of collective punishment.

The attack near Eli settlement took place on June 20, the day after an Israeli raid in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Since the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel has occupied the West Bank, where about 490,000 Israelis live in settlements considered illegal under international law, not including annexed East Jerusalem.

Violence in the West Bank has escalated following the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel, leading to war in Gaza. According to the Palestinian health ministry in Ramallah, over 360 people have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers.