BETHLEHEM, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) demolished Palestinian homes in the towns of Nahalin and Za‘atara in Bethlehem province, south of the West Bank, citing construction without permits.
Local sources said bulldozers escorted by Israeli forces stormed Nahalin town west of Bethlehem and demolished four houses belonging to residents.
Local sources said Israeli forces fired stun grenades and tear gas canisters at angry residents of Nahalin to keep them away from the homes during the demolition operation.
Several citizens suffered from exposure to tear gas and one citizen was kidnaped after being severely beaten by the IOF in the town.
Recently, an Israeli court rejected a petition filed by homeowners to halt a military decision ordering the demolition of 14 houses in Nahalin.
In Za’atara, east of Bethlehem, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home, displacing a seven-member family.
Local sources reported that the homeowner, Ra’ed Abu Ri’aya, was given an evacuation notice the previous day.
In a separate incident, an extremist Jewish settler deliberately drove his vehicle into a flock of Palestinian-owned sheep grazing east of Kisan village in eastern Bethlehem, killing two of them.
Settler crimes against the residents of Kisan have intensified recently, with incidents involving the chasing of shepherds, blocking access to pastures, running over locals, and attacking homes.
