Israeli forces have demolished much of the Ein Deir Baha district of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, forcing hundreds of families from their homes, according to local Palestinian officials quoted by The Guardian.
The Hebron municipality estimated that 35 hectares had been destroyed or marked for demolition and about 1,500 people evicted by Saturday afternoon. The whole city of 250,000 people has been sealed off by checkpoints.
The demolitions follow Friday's attack on an Israeli army checkpoint outside the city, in which two soldiers and both gunmen were killed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the site and promised a tough response, days before Israel's election. Palestinians described the demolitions as collective punishment, and the Wafa news agency reported plans to displace 2,500 more people.
Source: The Guardian
