The incident exacerbates existing tensions in Jerusalem, with critics accusing Israel of using demolitions as collective punishment….reports Asian Lite News
The United States has rebuked Israel for demolishing the home of a Palestinian activist in East Jerusalem, admonishing its ally for damaging its international standing.
Fakhri Abu Diab, a long-term resident, saw his home of 38 years torn down by Israeli personnel, leaving his family homeless, according to AFP report.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemns the act, urging Israel to halt further demolitions and expressing sympathy for Abu Diab’s plight.
The incident exacerbates existing tensions in Jerusalem, with critics accusing Israel of using demolitions as collective punishment.
Abu Diab appreciates the belated support but laments the lack of earlier intervention to prevent the destruction.
The demolition occurs against a backdrop of increased violence, including a recent deadly attack by Hamas militants that claimed many civilian lives in Israel.
The ongoing conflict complicates efforts for peace and exacerbates concerns over civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, international scrutiny intensifies over Israeli actions in East Jerusalem, particularly regarding housing demolitions and settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The incident underscores the challenges in achieving stability and peace in the region amidst entrenched hostilities and political complexities.
Meanwhile, Hamas has said that three Israeli hostages have died from their wounds sustained from recent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, in a press statement on Monday said the three victims were among the eight Israeli captives seriously injured in recent Israeli airstrikes, Xinhua news agency reported.
The statement added that the Al-Qassam Brigades would postpone the announcement of the names and photos of the three deceased until the fate of the remaining wounded becomes clear.
On Sunday, the Al-Qassam Brigades announced the deaths of two Israeli captives and the injury of 8 others due to what it said were Israeli shellings on the Strip in the past 96 hours.
The announcement of the latest three deaths comes hours after the Israeli army liberated two captives held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip early on Monday, namely Fernando Simon Merman, 60, and Louis Herr, 70, who were kidnapped to the Gaza Strip from Kibbutz Nir Eshkol on October 7, 2023.
On January 10, the Israeli army said that 136 hostages were still being held captive in the Gaza Strip.
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