Better Late than Never - B'Tselem's response to the Y-Net article stating that the Southern Command will cease its use of punitive house demolitions against Palestinians

B'Tselem commends the Southern Command for its decision to end the policy of demolishing Palestinian houses as a form of punishment. B'Tselem calls on the OC Central Commander to implement a similar decision.

The use of punitive house demolitions is in violation of international law. It constitutes a form of illegal collective punishment and causes harm to innocent civilians.

According to B'Tselem's statistics, in the current Intifada, the IDF began carrying out punitive house demolitions on October 23, 2001. The IDF adopted a policy of demolishing the houses of family members of Palestinians who carried out suicide attacks or are suspected of carrying out attacks on Israelis. Since then, 267 houses have been demolished as punishment, of which 58 are in the Gaza Strip.