The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that it has demolished the home of Ezz Aldin Malluh, the Palestinian gunman responsible for a deadly shooting attack that claimed the life of a 12-year-old Israeli boy late last year.
The demolition took place overnight in Bayt Awa, a town near Hebron in the southern West Bank, where Malluh had resided.
According to Hobnob News, the incident occurred on December 11, 2024, when Malluh opened fire on a bus traveling from the Beitar Ilit settlement to Jerusalem. The attack happened near a junction by the Palestinian town of al-Khader, injuring multiple passengers and critically wounding 12-year-old Yehoshua Aharon Tuvia Simha, who later died from his injuries.
Malluh surrendered to Israeli authorities the following day and has been held in custody since.
In a statement released Tuesday, the IDF confirmed the operation was conducted “in accordance with government policy” to demolish the homes of individuals accused of perpetrating deadly terrorist attacks. The military stated that such actions serve as a deterrent to future attacks.
The demolition comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, where Israeli security forces have increased operations in response to a series of violent incidents over the past year.
No injuries were reported during the demolition operation. The IDF added that security forces encountered minor resistance but completed the mission without escalation.
Palestinian officials and human rights organizations have long criticized Israel’s policy of punitive home demolitions, arguing that it constitutes collective punishment and violates international law. Israel maintains that the measure is a legitimate security strategy aimed at discouraging future acts of terror.
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