• A Palestinian woman argues with Israeli soldiers as they move in to demolish her two-story building used as a house and restaurant in Al Makhour, northwest of Beit Jala, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. All photos by EPA
    A Palestinian woman argues with Israeli soldiers as they move in to demolish her two-story building used as a house and restaurant in Al Makhour, northwest of Beit Jala, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. All photos by EPA
  • An Israeli soldier stands guard as authorities demolish the structure in Bethlehem. According to Palestinian reports, the building belonging to Ramzi Qaisiyya EPA
    An Israeli soldier stands guard as authorities demolish the structure in Bethlehem. According to Palestinian reports, the building belonging to Ramzi Qaisiyya EPA
  • A Palestinian women confronts an Israeli soldier. Palestinian officials said Israel demolished the building because the owner didn't have permits.
    A Palestinian women confronts an Israeli soldier. Palestinian officials said Israel demolished the building because the owner didn't have permits.
  • Israeli soldiers try to prize the Palestinian woman from the building. EPA
    Israeli soldiers try to prize the Palestinian woman from the building. EPA
  • The woman clings on to the balcony of the restaurant. EPA
    The woman clings on to the balcony of the restaurant. EPA
  • Several Israeli soldiers move in to force her off the building.
    Several Israeli soldiers move in to force her off the building.
  • An Israeli soldier stands guard as authorities demolish the structure in Bethlehem. EPA
    An Israeli soldier stands guard as authorities demolish the structure in Bethlehem. EPA
  • The bulldozers come in.
    The bulldozers come in.
  • An Israeli soldier stands guard as the restaurant is flattened. EPA
    An Israeli soldier stands guard as the restaurant is flattened. EPA
  • An Israeli soldier stands guard as the restaurant is flattened. EPA
    An Israeli soldier stands guard as the restaurant is flattened. EPA

Palestinian woman loses home as Israel flattens Bethlehem building — in pictures


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A building that serves as a home and restaurant in a village near Bethlehem has been bulldozed by Israeli forces, on a site where houses have been razed twice before.

Israeli authorities gave the building's owner, Ramzi Qaisiyya, a notice saying the building was constructed without the correct permits.

The two earlier buildings on the same site were demolished under the same pretext, the Palestine News Network reported on Monday.

Israel called in reinforcements to Al Makhour, north-west of Beit Jala, after a woman confronted soldiers, said Hassan Brejiya, head of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee in Bethlehem.

The woman clung to the balustrade of the building's top-floor balcony as Israeli soldiers try to force her away from the building.

Then the bulldozers moved in to level the two-storey home.

Mr Brejiya condemned the demolition, accusing Israel of clearing the area to expand its settlement projects.