Israelis kill 2 Palestinians in clashes over home demolition

Israeli forces shot dead two Palestinians when heavy clashes erupted Monday during an operation to destroy the West Bank home of an alleged attacker, the latest in a series of punitive demolitions.

In a bid to halt a wave of knife, gun and car-ramming attacks since the start of October, Israeli authorities have moved to expedite the demolitions of suspects' homes, a controversial measure meant as a deterrent.

Clashes have erupted in the past over such demolitions, but they have rarely been as deadly as Monday's at the Qalandiya refugee camp, just beyond a checkpoint leading from east Jerusalem to the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli military said hundreds of Palestinians threw rocks and firebombs at security forces and that some opened fire.

A resident calling himself Abu Amr said he heard noises at around 2:00 am and opened his window to check.

"There were hundreds of soldiers everywhere," he told AFP.

"I told my children not to move. Later there was an explosion, then afterwards there was shooting (which) lasted about 30 minutes."

Israeli forces shot three Palestinians, with two confirmed dead by Palestinian hospital sources. Medics identified them as father-of-three Ahmed al-Ayesh, 28, and Laith Manasra, 21.

Residents said those in the building were forced to leave ahead of the demolition.

The home on the top floor of a three-storey building was destroyed with explosives, residents said, also damaging the other floors and nearby residences.

Caption: Residents inspect a house demolished by Israeli troops in Qalandia between the occupied West Bank town of Ramallah and East Jerusalem. (The Malaysian Insider)