WEST BANK: In a pre-dawn operation on Monday, Israeli troops demolished the home of Moaz al-Masry, a Palestinian resident of the occupied West Bank who was killed by Israeli forces, sparking tensions and clashes in the area.
According to Palestinian witnesses cited by AFP, the apartment belonging to al-Masry was destroyed during the raid in the Al-Makhfiya neighborhood of Nablus. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported treating approximately 15 people for injuries sustained during the Israeli forces’ use of tear gas during the operation.
The demolition of Palestinian homes by Israeli authorities is a routine practice, justified by Israel as a deterrent measure, but condemned by critics as collective punishment.
The Red Crescent also assisted in evacuating multiple residents, including children, from the building housing al-Masry’s apartment.
Israeli Forces Violence in Occupied West Bank
Violence in the West Bank has escalated even before the outbreak of the conflict in the Gaza Strip between Palestinian resistance group Hamas and Israel on October 7. Since the onset of the conflict, Palestinian health authorities based in Ramallah reported that at least 420 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli troops and settlers.
The latest casualty was identified as 16-year-old Mustafa Abu Shalbak, who was reportedly shot by Israeli forces near Ramallah in the early hours of Monday. The incident occurred during a raid on a home in the Amari refugee camp, according to residents.
Israeli military officials did not immediately comment on the raid in Amari or the demolition in Nablus.
