Punitive house demolitions

In addition to house demolitions ostensibly undertaken for operational needs or when construction has been done without a permit, the military also carries out punitive house demolitions in the West Bank. These demolitions are explicitly designed to harm the relatives of Palestinians suspected or convicted of security offenses to serve as a deterrent to potential attackers. This is essentially an official policy of harming innocents, whose effectiveness is questionable.

Home demolitions amount to collective punishment, which is prohibited under international law and contradicts the basic principle of Israeli law that no one should be penalized for the acts of others. Punitive demolitions are imposed in addition to criminal penalties for the perpetrator, and the primary victims are the residents of the demolished home rather than the accused individuals, who are usually imprisoned or deceased.

According to HaMoked figures, at least 11 homes were fully or partially demolished in 2024, and at least seven more by May 2025.​

For further reading, see HaMoked website, House Demolitions