JERUSALEM, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Tuesday ordered the demolition of homes in two West Bank villages linked to gunmen who carried out a deadly shooting in Jerusalem, and said it would revoke hundreds of work permits for Palestinian residents.
Six Israelis were killed on Monday when attackers opened fire at a bus stop near Ramot, a settlement neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed sanctions against relatives and residents of the assailants' villages, Qatanna and Al-Qubeiba, in the Ramallah Governorate. He also ordered the demolition of "any illegal structures in those villages" and the cancellation of 750 work and entry permits for Israel, a main source of income for many Palestinians.
Israel says demolishing attackers' homes helps deter future assaults. Palestinians and human rights groups say the practice constitutes collective punishment and breaches international law.
The measures came as Israeli forces continued their offensive in the Gaza Strip. Gaza health authorities said on Tuesday that Israeli strikes and gunfire have killed at least 64,605 people and wounded 163,319 others since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023. ■
