Israeli forces kill two Palestinians, raze three homes in West Bank

Israeli troops have raided and demolished three Palestinian homes in the West Bank city of Jenin after killing a member of the Hamas resistance movement and his comrade during overnight clashes there.

A video released on social media shows a residential building reduced to rubble.

Israeli soldiers also attacked the Palestinians protesting the raid, wounding a number of them.

The demolitions came after Hamas member Ahmed Isma’il Muhammed Jarar and his comrade were killed during clashes with the regime forces late Wednesday. Two Israeli soldiers were also injured during the skirmishes, one of whom is reportedly in critical condition.

The homes destroyed by Israelis belonged to the relatives of the victims.

Tel Aviv claims the two victims were involved in last week’s drive-by shooting in which an Israeli rabbi was killed.

Rights groups warn against an escalating wave of “collective punishment” and restrictive measures against Palestinians, including mid-night home raids, arbitrary arrests and installation of roadblocks.

Israeli authorities issue punitive demolition orders for the homes of Palestinian families over allegations that their relatives were involved in attacks on Israelis.

In many cases, the Palestinians are forced to demolish their own homes in an attempt to avoid paying hefty demolition costs to Israeli municipal authorities or paying heavy fines and legal costs.

Tensions have been running high across the occupied Palestinian territories since US President Donald Trump announced his decision on December 6 to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital and move Washington’s embassy to the city.

The PA says it would reject all so-called peace talks, sponsored by the US, until Washington rescinds its decision on al-Quds.

Washington’s dramatic U-turn on Jerusalem al-Quds drew global condemnations, prompting the UN General Assembly to overwhelmingly approve a resolution against Trump’s declaration in December 2016.

The entire Jerusalem al-Quds is currently under Israel’s control, while the regime also claims the city’s eastern part, which hosts the third holiest Muslim site.

The city, which Palestinians want as the capital of their future state, has been designated as “occupied” under international law since the 1967 Arab War.

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