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Photo: Untitled. Credit: MaanImages
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HEBRON (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces on Thursday evening raided the home of a Palestinian who reportedly carried out a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv earlier that day, Palestinian sources said.

Sources close to the family of one of the suspected attackers, Raed Masalma, told Ma'an that Israeli forces informed the family that their house would be demolished after searching Masalma's home and questioning his wife, a few hours after the attack.

Israeli soldiers initially told the family they would demolish the home within an hour of the search raid, but were then told the demolition would take place at a later time, locals sources said.

Masalma is married and has five children. The family lives in Dura village in the southern occupied West Bank district of Hebron.

Masalma is accused of killing two Israelis and injuring two others in a stabbing attack in southern Tel Aviv alongside another suspect who Israeli police has not yet identified.

Israeli police spokesperson Luba al-Samri said the stabbing attack took place inside of the Panorama building on Ben Tsavi street in the city.

Israeli police said Masalma attempted to enter a synagogue inside the building but was stopped by civilians.

The police detained Masalma, who was moderately injured when the forces arrived to the scene, al-Samri added.

Another suspect reportedly fled the scene, according to witnesses.
Israeli media reported that Masalma received a work permit to enter Israel a month ago.

Punitive home demolitions

The swift demolition order on Masalma's home marks the latest use of the punitive measure by Israeli authorities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expedited punitive home demolitions last month, in a supposed attempt to deter future attacks against Israelis.

The move came despite past recommendations by an Israeli military committee that the practice did not deter attacks.

While families who receive demolition orders are given the opportunity to appeal the measures, Israel’s High Court of Justice typically rejects such appeals, according to Israeli watchdog Hamoked.

Israeli rights group B’Tselem meanwhile condemned the practice last month as “court sanctioned revenge” carried out on family members who have not committed crimes, amounting to collective punishment.

In addition home demolitions, punitive measures including withholding the bodies of Palestinians involved in attacks, arbitrary detention of family members, and closure of neighborhoods have also been implemented against Palestinian communities.