House demolitions

Israel does not arbitrarily decide to demolish the homes of Palestinians. The army usually decides to take this drastic measure only after extreme provocation, and in order to ensure the security of soldiers and civilians. Many Palestinian homes, in the Gaza Strip in particular, have been used as bomb factories, to provide cover for snipers, and to conceal tunnels used to smuggle weapons from Egypt. The hope is that before engaging in terrorism, a terrorist might think twice about the consequences. The IDF has, in fact, found the demolition of homes to be an effective deterrent, and that the policy has led fathers to turn in their sons before the youths participate in terrorist attacks that would lead to the destruction of the family's home.

The Israeli policy of demolishing houses that were used to facilitate terrorism, or owned by people who assist terrorists, is an economic penalty for complicity with murder. It is not a collective punishment. Moreover, the concept of collective accountability for terrorism that is widely supported by the vast majority of Palestinians and their leadership is entirely consistent with law and morality.

Palestinian terrorists have learned how to use civilians as both swords and shields: they target Israeli civilians and then hide behind Palestinian civilians when the IDF comes after them. They use noncombatants as shields for combatants. They deliberately place their bomb-making factories adjacent to schools, hospitals, and other civilian buildings.