IDF continues house demolitions of Palestinian families without notice. Israel Defense Forces soldiers yesterday stepped up punitive measures against relatives of Palestinian militants. Having demolished two houses on Friday, IDF men tore down nine more before dawn yesterday. Also, Major General Yitzhak Eitan, head of the Central Command, signed expulsion orders to the Gaza Strip for the sister of a suspect from Nablus. Palestinian residents on the West Bank complained yesterday that the IDF demolitions also damaged houses belonging to neighbors.

Ha'aretz The Israel Defense Forces will ask the Supreme Court Monday to reject appeals which would require the army to give militants' relatives prior warning that their houses were to be demolished. The prosecution counters that claims that such an announcement would endanger IDF soldiers, making them vulnerable to attack. The prosecution further argues that such a step is unwarranted at a time of war.