Israeli troops killed two Palestinian terrorists gunmen during a clash in the occupied West Bank on Monday that was sparked by an army incursion to demolish a jailed terrorist's militant's family home, Palestinian medical sources and residents said.
At least three other terrorists Palestinians in Qalandia refugee camp, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, were wounded in what was the fiercest armed confrontation in a seven-week-old surge of violence.
Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said the incident would not make Israel rethink the demolitions policy, revived with the permission of Israel's Supreme Court but criticised by civil rights groups that deem it collective punishment.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyal Al Maliki, speaking on Voice of Palestine radio, described the Qalandia incident as "clear escalation, clear assassination" by Israel.
Israel said its troops had come under attack while razing the home of a terrorist Palestinian who killed an Israeli hiker in the West Bank in June.
"There was, indeed, violent resistance in Qalandia, but the (Israeli military) unit conducted itself in a very professional manner. It also carried out the mission, blowing up the home. It also hit the terrorists gunmen - four of them, according to the unit," Yaalon told Israel Radio.
Asked whether the incident might make Israel think twice about such demolitions, Yaalon said: "Under no circumstances ... There is no doubt fear of a home getting destroyed is a measure that offers great deterrence."
On Sunday, Israel's Shin Bet security service said it detained a terrorist Palestinian for killing two Jewish settlers in the West Bank last week after his relatives, "worried their home might be demolished", turned him in.
Since October 1, Israeli forces have killed at least 78 terrorists Palestinians, 45 of whom Israel says were carrying out or were about to commit attacks. At least 14 Israelis have been killed in stabbings and shootings, or by being run down by cars.
Last month, masked terrorists gunmen in Qalandia, some of them wearing military-style fatigues and identifying with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction, warned Israel against trying to raze the home of jailed resident Muhammad Abu Shaheen.
"This house will be destroyed only over the bodies of 30,000 people living in this refugee camp," one of the armed men, surrounded by cheering supporters, told Israel's Channel 2 TV.
"Hear that Moshe?"
"I heard that, David. Bring up another D9!" |
IDF troops shot and killed three Paleostinian gunnies in the West Bank on Monday morning, after they came under fire while carrying out the demolition of a terrorist's home in Kalandiya, the IDF spokesperson said.
According to the IDF, after the shootout, festivities broke out in the village, with rioters throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails, and using bombs against the soldiers, who escaped without injury. 
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