People inspect the damaged building after Israeli soldiers destroyed the house of Ashraf Naalwa at Shweikeh neighborhood in Tulkarem in West Bank, Dec. 17, 2018. Israeli soldiers destroyed on Monday the house of Ashraf Naalwa, who was recently killed by Israeli soldiers after being accused of killing two settlers in the West Bank two months ago. (Xinhua/Nidal Eshtayeh)
TULKAREM, West Bank, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli soldiers destroyed on Monday the house of Ashraf Naalwa, who was recently killed by Israeli soldiers after being accused of killing two settlers in the West Bank two months ago.
Witnesses said that the army used a bulldozer to knock down the walls of the first floor of the Naalwa's three-storey house, located in the Shweikeh neighborhood in Tulkarem in West Bank, based on a decision of an Israeli court.
The army started the operation at 3 a.m. local time and ended at 9 a.m.
Clashes broke out during the entry of the army to the neighborhood. The residents threw stones at the Israeli soldiers, while the army responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets, causing several minor injuries, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Neighbors of the house were also evacuated as the area was declared a closed military zone.
The Ministry of Education has called off schools in the neighborhood.
Israel plans to demolish more Palestinian homes in the coming days as promised by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel usually allows the demolition of homes of those it accuses of attacking Israelis.
According to Israeli rights group Btselem, "demolishing homes as a form of collective punishment is one of the most extreme measures that Israel has employed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the occupation began in 1967."
Israeli security bodies have repeatedly defended the policy as a deterrent measure, however, legal experts say it is a retaliatory move which breaches the international law.
