Israeli army demolishes home belonging to US citizen accused of murder
White House reportedly sought cancellation of order as wife and three children living in home are US citizens
The Israeli army Thursday morning demolished a Palestinian home in the West Bank belonging to Montasser Shalabi, a US citizen accused of murder.
Washington reportedly called for the demolition to be canceled, in part because Shalabi did not live at the property in Turmus Ayya. Its residents were his estranged wife, Sanaa Shalabi, 40, and her three children, all of whom are US citizens.
"Overnight... troops demolished the residence of the terrorist Shalabi, in the village of Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah," an army spokesperson said, according to France24.
Shalabi, 44, is accused of killing 19-year-old Yehuda Guetta in a shooting at the Tapuah junction in the northern West Bank on May 2. Two other teenagers were wounded in the incident.
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As a policy Israel demolishes the homes of Palestinians who conduct fatal attacks against Israelis. The measure was implemented as a means of deterring attacks carried out by people who knew they would likely die in the act.
There is mixed evidence as to whether the policy has a deterrent effect. Homes are also demolished for other reasons not related to violence, such as lack of a building permit.
According to Palestinian media, clashes erupted between local residents and Israeli soldiers near the house, but no injuries were reported.
The demolition of the house was slowed due to legal proceedings filed by the human rights organization, HaMoked, which argued that Shalabi suffered from mental illness and in recent years spent time in psychiatric care.
It also argued that Shalabi did not live at the property and was separated from his wife.