BICOM

Israeli soldiers were attacked by armed Palestinians yesterday in the West Bank as they attempted to demolish the home of a terrorist suspected of murdering an Israeli civilian in June. Two Palestinians were killed in the resulting gun battle.

Troops including those from the elite Duvdevan unit came under attack after they entered Qalandiya, near Ramallah. They arrived to demolish the home of Muhammed Abu Shaheen, who is thought to have shot and murdered 25-year-old Danny Gonen near the West Bank settlement of Dolev in June, as Gonen returned from hiking with a friend. Yesterday’s house demolition was authorised by a High Court decision last week which upheld the Israeli government order to destroy the homes of five Palestinian terrorists as a deterrent to would-be future attackers.

Ynet reports that Israeli soldiers were attacked with firebombs, explosive devices and rocks. An IDF statement said that “suspects opened fire at the forces. In response to the immediate danger, forces fired towards the attackers.” The statement confirmed that there had been “direct hits” and Palestinians later said that 28-year-old Ahmed Abu al Eish and 21-year-old Lit Manasra were killed in the clash. There were no Israeli casualties or injuries and the IDF confirmed that the home demolition had been completed.

Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon commented on the operation, saying, “The force reacted with professionalism, destroying the house and returning fire at those shooting at it. They left the scene without casualties to themselves.” He also said that the policy of home demolitions “really deters,” explaining that, “In recent weeks and months, parents have turned in their children in or told us their children are on their way to carry out an attack. There’s no doubt it works.” On Sunday, the father and brother of a Palestinian who killed an Israeli father and son on Friday are reported to have turned in the killer to Israeli authorities, in order to prevent the destruction of the family home.