Israel demolishes 2 homes of Palestinian attackers in West Bank refugee camp

Israeli forces have demolished two homes in Qalandia refugee camp in the West Bank that belong to families of two Palestinian men responsible for a knife attack last December that led to the death of two Israelis, including one by friendly fire.

Palestinian sources said Israeli forces raided the Qalandia refugee camp located between Jerusalem and Ramallah overnight and clashed with Palestinians, leaving five injured by Israeli gunfire, one of whom in critical condition.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said the forces demolished homes of Issa Assaf and Anan Hamed who were shot dead by Israeli soldiers near Jerusalem's old city last December.

Palestinian sources said the military forces razed the outer walls of the two homes, leaving their residents displaced.

Israeli authorities have undertaken home demolitions against Palestinians as deterence measures.

Palestinian officials and rights groups say these measures can be considered collective punishment.

Qalandia refugee camp, home to nearly 14,000 Palestinian refugees, is located within East Jerusalem area classified as area (C) under the Oslo Accords, where Israel retains full security and administrative control. However, being a refugee camp, it is under administrative supervision of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

According to the interim Oslo Accords signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel in 1993, the West Bank is divided into three zones: A, B, and C, with Area (A) being under Palestinian control, (B) being under Israeli security control and Palestinian Administrative control, and (C) being under full Israeli control.

Area (C) makes up more than 60 percent of the West Bank.
Source:XINHUA