Israeli Army Razes 11 Palestinian Houses in Qalandiya Town

Al-Quds, 21 Syawwal 1437/26 July 2016 (MINA) – The Israeli occupation army demolished 11 Palestinian homes overnight in Qalandiya town, north of Occupied Jerusalem, at the pretext of their location near the segregation wall.

The demolitions started last night and continued until dawn Tuesday, amid violent clashes in Qalandiya and Abu Dis towns.

According to Qalandiya media center, six bulldozers escorted by a large number of Israeli troops stormed 11 homes at least in Qalandiya and forced their residents out before embarking on knocking them down.

Consequently, violent clashes broke out with the occupation troops, leading to the injury of several young protesters from the town. Medical sources said that three young men suffered bullet injuries and at least four others suffocated by tear gas during the events.

Journalist Mahmoud Awadallah and chief of the town Yousef Awadallah also suffered injuries when Israeli soldiers physically assaulted them during the events.

The Israeli army justified the demolition of the houses by claiming they were built illegally near the wall without construction permits, according to one of the owners.

Owners of the demolished houses had received last Sunday notices giving them 72 hours to evacuate their homes before razing them.

In a related incident, 30 Palestinian young men suffered bullet and tear gas injuries during confrontations with the occupation troops in Abu Dis town, east of Jerusalem, according to the Red Crescent.(T/P008/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)