JENIN, December 29, 2015 (WAFA) – Israeli forces Tuesday raided the family homes’ of three Palestinians, who were killed by Israeli forces following alleged stabbing attacks against soldiers in Nablus and Jerusalem, as an apparent prelude to punitively demolish them.

Israeli army Sunday fatally shot two Palestinians, including a minor, after they reportedly stabbed and lightly injured two Israeli soldiers in central Huwwara village, south of Nablus. The two were identified as Nour-Adin Saba'aneh, 23, and Mohammed Rafeeq Saba'aneh, 17; Both are from Qabatia town near Jenin in northern West Bank.

The relatives of the above-mentioned Palestinians informed WAFA that a large military force raided their homes, and proceeded to take photos and measurements. Another military forces reportedly raided the funeral that was held for both Palestinians; Nour-Adin and Mohammed Saba’aneh, and ripped up their photos.

On Monday, the youngsters’ parents were summoned for interrogation at al-Jalama Israeli military camp. One parent was briefly detained before his release.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops raided the family house of ‘Anan Abu Habsa, who was shot dead last Wednesday near Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate following an alleged stabbing attack.

Troops reportedly took measurements of Habsa’s family house in preparation of planned demolition.

Israel resorts to punitively demolish the family homes of any Palestinians – as means of deterrence - accused of being involved in attacks against Israelis, a policy that Israel does not use against Israeli settlers who were involved in fatal attacks against Palestinians.

Al-Haq human rights group slammed the punitive home demolition of Palestinians suspected of being involved in attacks against Israelis, as a collective punishment and that in accordance with humanitarian law and human rights law, it is assessed as a war crime and a crime against humanity.

B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights group, says: “The people who bear the brunt of the [punitive] demolitions are relatives – including women, the elderly, and children – whom Israel does not suspect of involvement in any offense.”

“In the vast majority of cases, the person whose actions prompted the demolition was not even living in the house at the time of the demolition,” adds the group.

“The official objective of the house demolition policy is deterrence … yet the deterrent effect of house demolitions has never been proven.”

It said that, “ Since this constitutes deliberate harm to innocents, it is clear that even if house demolition had the desired deterrent effect, it would, nevertheless, remain unlawful.”

In the meantime, Amnesty International, argued that, The Israeli authorities’ claim that such demolitions are effective in dissuading potential attackers is entirely irrelevant in the eyes of International humanitarian law, which places clear limits on the actions which an occupying power may take in the name of security, and the absolute prohibition on collective punishment is one of the most important of these rules.

“Collective punishment is never permissible under any circumstances,” it said.

Late 2014, The US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki contended that such a move amounted to collective punishment and would only heighten tensions in the region.

T.R.