Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Qalandiya, injure 4

Israeli forces demolished two Palestinian homes last night in the Qalandiya refugee camp sparking clashes in the densely populated camp that left four Palestinians injured by Israeli fire.

The punitive demolition was carried out against the Assaf and Abu Habsa families as punishment for stab attacks carried out by two young members of the families last year. Six Palestinian refugees were displaced as a result of the demolitions.

Israeli forces shot and injured four Palestinians with live fire when fierce clashes erupted after an Israeli convoy stormed the camp to begin demolishing the homes, locals told Ma’an.

Local sources said Israeli forces detained and proceeded to assault two young men after they were shot and injured.

Israeli forces fired tear gas and stun grenades at ambulances to prevent them from entering the camp to evacuate the wounded.

A spokesperson of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said rescue teams received a phone call about injuries in the quarry east of Qalandiya, but “Israeli forces prevented ambulances at gunpoint from accessing the area.”

Witnesses said Palestinian gunmen also exchanged fire with the Israeli soldiers. Locals estimated some 1,000 Israeli soldiers were deployed in the area, firing rubber-coated steel bullets in every direction as they moved inside the refugee camp.

An Israeli army spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.