Israeli Border Police Demolish Homes in Shirat Zion Outpost Amid Clashes

In the early hours of Tuesday night, hundreds of Israeli Border Police officers raided the Shirat Zion hill near Kedumim in the West Bank, where two families reside. Around 1:00 a.m., residents spotted the approaching forces accompanied by Civil Administration inspectors and engineering equipment. The police began demolishing the homes, prompting a local youth to tie his leg to a metal fixture welded to the roof in protest. According to settlers, the police responded with severe violence against him. After several hours, during which many local residents arrived to protest the demolition, the forces withdrew. Two settlers were detained for questioning during the evacuation.

Residents reported significant damage beyond the homes, including the destruction of the solar power system by heavy stones thrown by Border Police and water tanks being cut with knives. They described frequent demolition convoys targeting settlement points across Judea and Samaria, stating that Shirat Zion, located in Area B, was next. The outpost was established in memory of Lieutenant Shir Hajaj, who was killed in a 2018 terror attack in Armon Hanatziv.

The settlers called on regional leaders, including Avi Blot and Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, to halt the destruction at frontline settlement points that persistently defend their land. They emphasized their commitment to reclaiming ancestral lands and restoring security throughout Israel. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding settlement activity and Israeli enforcement actions in the West Bank.