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Einabus, West Bank – June 19, 2025: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday razed the home of a Hamas-affiliated gunman responsible for a deadly shooting attack at the Gitai Avisar Junction in the West Bank late last year.
The operation, carried out by engineering units from the Shomron Brigade, took place in the Palestinian village of Einabus, south of Nablus. The home belonged to Samer Hussein, the assailant behind the November 29, 2024, attack near the settlement of Ariel.
During the attack, Hussein opened fire on a bus and a crowded bus stop, wounding nine people — five Israeli civilians and four IDF soldiers — before being shot and killed by Israeli forces at the scene.
According to an IDF statement, the demolition was part of Israel’s broader policy of deterrence, which targets the homes of individuals who carry out acts of terror, regardless of whether the attacks result in fatalities.
“The Israel Defense Forces will continue to act against anyone who chooses the path of terrorism,” the military said, emphasizing that the policy is intended to dissuade future attacks by imposing a high personal cost on perpetrators and their families.
The IDF said its forces entered Einabus in the early morning hours to carry out the demolition. Local reports from Palestinian media indicated that the operation sparked limited clashes, with residents throwing stones and soldiers responding with crowd control measures.
There were no immediate reports of injuries during the demolition. Samer Hussein was identified by Israeli intelligence shortly after the November attack as a member of the Islamist militant group Hamas, which has praised attacks against Israeli targets in the West Bank.’
Though Hamas did not officially claim responsibility for the shooting, it hailed Hussein as a “heroic martyr” in the aftermath.
The Gitai Avisar Junction shooting marked one of the most serious attacks in the area in recent months and drew widespread condemnation from Israeli leaders at the time. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed a strong response, including punitive measures such as home demolitions.
The policy of demolishing the homes of attackers has long been controversial. Israeli officials maintain it serves as an effective deterrent, while critics — including human rights organizations — argue it constitutes collective punishment and disproportionately affects family members not involved in attacks.
The Israeli Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the legality of the practice, although it reviews each case individually.
Tensions remain high in the West Bank amid a surge in violence over the past year. The IDF has increased its operations in the territory in response to a series of deadly attacks and ongoing security threats.
According to Israeli officials, dozens of planned assaults have been thwarted in recent months, many linked to Hamas and other militant factions.
As the IDF wrapped up its mission in Einabus, it reiterated that security forces will continue to act “wherever and whenever necessary” to protect Israeli citizens and maintain order in the region.