Israeli occupation forces conducted a predawn raid on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, into Hebron city located in the southern part of the occupied West Bank. The raid targeted the homes of the young men behind the recent Hebron attack, in which a settler was killed and another was seriously injured. The incident took place in the Khalat Manna area of the city.
According to local sources, the Israeli forces took measurements of the homes belonging to the Palestinians, Muhammad and Saqr al-Shantir, as a prelude to their demolition. This action by the Israeli forces indicates their intent to destroy the homes of the attackers as a punitive measure.
Tensions escalated in the vicinity of the al-Shantir family homes as clashes erupted between Palestinian youth and Israeli occupation forces. The clashes have been ongoing as Palestinians express their frustration and resistance to the Israeli military presence.
The Israeli occupation had announced on Tuesday the arrest of two individuals from Hebron suspected of carrying out the attack on the settlers’ vehicle near the “Kiryat Arba” settlement.
The city of Hebron has been a hotspot for such clashes due to Israel’s history of settlement activities and its significance to the Palestinians.
Demolishing the homes of Palestinians “suspected of carrying out attacks” on Israelis is a long-held practice of Israel. Thousands of Palestinian people have lost their homes to demolitions in what human rights groups say is a policy by Israel of “collective punishment” that may amount to war crimes.
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