Israeli occupation forces demolished the two-story home of Palestinian detainee Maher Zuhair Samara in the town of Bruqin, west of Salfit in the central occupied West Bank, on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
The demolition was carried out under heavy military deployment, with troops storming the area alongside a military bulldozer and cordoning off the surroundings to prevent residents from intervening.
According to eyewitnesses, the invasion and demolition began early in the day and targeted the family residence without prior public notice.
They added that the home belongs to the family of Maher Samara, who is accused of involvement in a deadly shooting attack back in May 2023.
According to The Times of Israel, the shooter, Nael Samara, was identified by Israeli authorities as a member of Hamas and was killed by Israeli forces four days after the May 14, 2023, shooting near Bruqin. His body remains held by Israel.
The Israeli army later abducted three additional Palestinians, including Maher Samara, also alleged to be affiliated with Hamas, for their suspected involvement in the fatal attack that killed Tze’ela Gez and led to the death of her newborn son, Ravid Chaim, two weeks later.
This latest demolition follows a series of similar actions targeting the Samara family. On October 23, 2025, Israeli forces demolished the homes of Maher’s father and his brother Jamil Samara, who is also imprisoned by Israel.
Human rights organizations and UN bodies have repeatedly denounced punitive home demolitions as violations of international humanitarian law, particularly Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits collective punishment.
Since the start of the genocide in Gaza in October 2023, Israel has intensified such measures in the West Bank, including mass abductions, military invasions, and home demolitions.
UN reports indicate that over 83 punitive demolitions have taken place in the West Bank during the two-year war period, contributing to the displacement of hundreds of Palestinians.
The demolition of Maher Samara’s home is emblematic of the broader Israeli strategy targeting not only individuals but entire families and communities in illegal acts of collective punishment.
Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits collective punishment. It is a cornerstone of international humanitarian law protecting civilians under occupation.
It states that “No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed.”
“Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited. Pillage is prohibited. Reprisals against protected persons and their property are prohibited.”
