Israeli security forces on Monday razed a dozen makeshift buildings at two illegal West Bank outposts, and arrested at least 15 hard-line ‘hilltop youth’ residents following violent clashes.
The order to flatten six illegal structures in Maoz Esther and another six in Baladim — both next to the Kochav Hashahar settlement — is understood to be the first authorised by Benny Gantz, Israel’s new Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
The controversial Baladim and Maoz Esther outposts have been razed several times in recent years, with their extremist residents rebuilding them each time. The hilltop youth have a history of attacking both Israeli security personnel and Palestinians, and Israel’s Border Police have defined such incidents as “terror attacks”.
The demolitions come nearly two months after a similar operation where Israeli security officials destroyed illegally built structures near the northern West Bank’s Yitzhar settlement following a High Court ruling. These structures were found to have been constructed in Area C without permits and in Area B, which is under Palestinian civil jurisdiction and Israeli security control.
