DaysofPal- The Hebrew newspaper “Haaretz” has reported the formation of a military unit by settlers in the Gaza Strip, tasked with the systematic demolition of buildings under Israeli forces’ supervision.
According to the report, this force, known as the “Uriya Force,” comprises reservist soldiers from settlements in the West Bank.
They operate bulldozers and engineering equipment primarily in southern Gaza, and they are led by Bezalel Zini, brother of a candidate for the head of Shin Bet.
Zini, who manages a contracting company in the Ofra settlement, is noted for his extreme views.
Associates have stated that he views the demolition of buildings in Gaza as a “religious duty.” This Israeli force is named after its founder, right-wing activist Uriya Loverboom, who has ties to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The Uriya Force operates with a fleet of heavy machinery, including excavators and bulldozers, aiming to flatten structures across Gaza.
The majority of the operators are settlers, motivated by a goal to demolish every encountered building.
Their actions are often uncoordinated, with movements sometimes not reported to the Israeli forces.
The operation began following announcements on far-right Israeli platforms, notably involving bulldozer driver Avraham Azulai, who was killed and nearly kidnapped months prior in southern Gaza due to inadequate army protection.
Furthermore, the report highlights the use of Palestinians as human shields, with individuals forced into tunnels and homes suspected of housing militants.
Operators receive substantial compensation, with daily wages reaching up to 6,000 shekels, while the army supplies fuel for the machinery.
The Israeli forces utilize civilian contracting companies for engineering tasks in Gaza, such as construction, demolition, and road opening.
However, the Uriya Force, primarily driven by settlers, focuses solely on destruction.
The Israeli occupation forces have acknowledged losing around 40% of their engineering vehicles to explosions and anti-tank missiles during the conflict, leading to increased reliance on civilian contractors for demolition and leveling activities.
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