World

Israel army razes West Bank home of Palestinian 'attacker'

December 17, 2018
Palestinians inspect the flat of Ashraf Naalwa after Israeli forces destroyed it in the village of Shuwaykah, near the West Bank city of Tulkarem, on Monday. — AFP
Palestinians inspect the flat of Ashraf Naalwa after Israeli forces destroyed it in the village of Shuwaykah, near the West Bank city of Tulkarem, on Monday. — AFP

NABLUS, Palestinian Territories — Israeli forces destroyed the home of a Palestinian accused of killing two Israelis, in an army raid that triggered clashes overnight Monday, an AFP journalist said.

Three people were injured by rubber bullets, official Palestinian news agency Wafa said.

Hundreds of soldiers surrounded the house in a suburb of Tulkarm in the north of the West Bank, the AFP journalist said.

The army destroyed the walls of Ashraf Naalwa's home on the ground and first floors of the house, before withdrawing on Monday morning.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the operation.

Naalwa, 23, was killed by the Israeli army last Thursday after a two-month manhunt.

He was accused of killing two Israeli colleagues in an industrial zone near the northern West Bank Jewish settlement of Barkan.

The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas claimed Naalwa as one of its fighters.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered "the acceleration of the demolition of terrorists' homes" in the wake of the recent wave of attacks.

Late Sunday, Israeli ministers gave initial approval to a bill that would allow the army to move family members of Palestinian attackers to a different West Bank location.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, whose Jewish Home faction was behind the bill, said it would help deter would-be assailants.

"The terrorists have stopped fearing us," he said in a statement, noting that the justice ministry opposes the proposed legislation. — AFP


December 17, 2018
100 views
HIGHLIGHTS
World
hour ago

India opposition leader Kejriwal to remain in jail in corruption case

World
5 hours ago

Baltimore bridge collapse: Divers find two bodies in submerged truck

World
5 hours ago

US urges fair legal process for India opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal