RAMALLAH, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army demolished one house and blew up another in the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Wednesday, while continuing its military operation in the southern West Bank city of Hebron for the sixth consecutive day, according to Palestinian security and local sources.
Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israeli forces, accompanied by military vehicles and bulldozers, raided the town of Beita, south of Nablus, and forced residents to evacuate homes in the western part of the town.
The forces subsequently demolished one house and planted explosives in another before blowing it up, the sources said.
The houses belonged to two Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, who were accused of carrying out attacks against Israel, according to the sources.
Israel frequently demolishes the homes of Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks, saying the practice serves as a deterrent. Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations have condemned the policy as a form of collective punishment.
Meanwhile, local sources said Israeli forces continued their military operation in Hebron for the sixth consecutive day, besieging and sealing off the Al-Jalda and Deir Baha areas while raiding homes. Some houses were turned into military outposts.
In a press statement, the Hebron Municipality said about 780 families had been affected by the ongoing operation, and nearly 5,000 people had been displaced or placed under siege, either through forced evacuation or by being trapped inside their homes.
The Palestinian Prisoners' Club, a non-governmental organization, said approximately 110 Palestinians had been arrested since the operation began, including seven children and former prisoners who had previously been detained.
The organization said in a statement that the arrests were accompanied by field interrogations involving hundreds of people, as well as assaults, abuse and severe beatings. Israeli forces had also closed roads and entrances and restricted movement, disrupting daily life and hindering residents' access to workplaces and essential services, it added. ■
