Israel demolishes home of Palestinian accused of murdering soldier

Israeli forces demolished early Saturday in the West Bank the four-story house of Islam Abu Hmeid, charged of murdering a soldier, said a report by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The demolished building, owned by Abu Hmeid and his family, is located in the Palestinian refugee camp of Al-Am'ari, near the city of Ramallah.

The soldier Ronen Lubarsky was murdered in May during an operational activity, from a marble slab that was thrown from the roof of a three-story building in Ramallah.

The IDF blocked a large area to carry out the demolishing operation, as the house is located at the heart of the dense refugee camp.

During the operation, dozens of Palestinians rioted and threw stones at the soldiers. They were responded by riot dispersal means.

A notice of the intention to demolish two floors of the building was already given to the family in November. Then, after another check, it was decided to demolish the entire building.

Two weeks ago, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a petition against the demolition, and the family was given 10 days of organizing and preparing to leave the house.

Walid Assaf, chairman of Palestinian commission against the wall and Jewish settlements, announced that Abu Hmeid family would be provided with an alternative home.