Israel applies sweeping punitive measures on Palestinian towns after Jerusalem shooting
Israel applies sweeping punitive measures on Palestinian towns after Jerusalem shooting
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered "civilian sanctions" on relatives and residents of two towns that were home to the two Palestinians responsible for a deadly attack in Jerusalem on Monday.
The two men, who came from the villages of Qatanna and Qubeiba near Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, were shot dead during an exchange of fire with an off-duty Israeli soldier at the scene. The gunmen had killed six people near a bus stop.
Early on Tuesday, Katz announced that demolitions will take place in the gunmen's home towns, and that 750 work and entry permits into Israel that had been issued to local residents would be revoked.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) criticised the move as "collective punishment" and warned that it is "prohibited under both Israeli law and international humanitarian law", describing the actions as "war crimes".
"International humanitarian law absolutely prohibits collective punishment without exception," the ACRI added.
The distribution of work and travel permits by Israel has long been a subject of scrutiny among rights organisations and experts, who consider it a method of further entrenching Israel's control over the occupied territories and enforcing a system of apartheid.
On Monday, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir also ordered a complete closure of the two gunmen's towns, during a military field visit to the areas.
The homes of the Palestinian gunmen - identified as Muthanna Naji Amro, 20, and Muhammad Bassam Taha, 21 - were also mapped, in advance of their demolition.
According to Israeli news outlet Maariv, Israeli forces will escalate operations in Ramallah in the coming hours, including the launch of a brigade-level campaign involving several battalions that will target the city and surrounding areas.
Checkpoints were erected by Israeli forces in several areas in the West Bank and Jerusalem soon after the attack, further restricting Palestinians' movement.
Local reports have noted that the latest Israeli raids and newly erected checkpoints in Palestinian towns and villages in the Jerusalem area have affected about 70,000 Palestinians, mainly targeting the towns of Qatanna and Qubeiba.
Diaa al-Faqih, head of Qatanna’s village council, told Middle East Eye that the Israeli raids were “relentless” and carried out "almost hourly".
Promised revenge
On Monday, several Israeli officials vowed retaliation in the wake of the shooting in Jerusalem, for which Hamas later claimed responsibility.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the "deportation" of the families of the assailants and made reference to reforms he enacted allowing Israeli citizens greater freedom to carry weapons in public.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli military operations would expand across the West Bank, beyond the refugee camps that had previously been a major focus of the army, and warned that there will be "severe and far-reaching consequences to this heinous attack".
According to local reports, widescale raids, security measures and demolitions are taking place in the occupied West Bank northwest of Jerusalem.
Troops have reportedly carried out incursions that include massive arrest campaigns - particularly targeting young men - and the use of heavy toxic gas in the areas.
In Qubeiba, homes were stormed and searched, with some transformed into military barracks.
The entrances to nearby towns have been closed, preventing civilians from entering or exiting the areas.
Israeli forces were reportedly firing live ammunition and teargas at those trapped near the entrances.
