The settlement Givat Tzur Harel, in the Binyamin region of Judea and Samaria was violently destroyed last night (Sunday to Monday) upon the orders of the Defense Ministry, led by the newly-appointed Israel Katz.
The demolition took place on the birthday of the settlement's namesake - Harel Sharvit - who fell at the age of 33 in northern Gaza last December.
Hundreds of Border Police and Special Patrol Unit officers arrived at the site at night, evacuated the settlers from their homes and buildings on the hill, and together with heavy engineering tools and Civil Administration inspectors, the forces on the ground demolished the settlement for the fourth time.
According to the settlers, the forces carried out the evacuation and demolition activities using great force and severe violence, using stun grenades and teargas canisters.
Local people spoke out against the demolition and the new defense minister: "Yisrael Katz got off to a bad start; despite the destruction we are moving forward with all our might."
The Civil Administration said in response: "Earlier today (Monday), IDF officers from the Civil Administration, together with the security forces, carried out an enforcement activity against five buildings built on private Palestinian land in the Oz Zion outpost in the Binyamin area. The construction was erected illegally and was evacuated by decision of the commander of the Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Blut and the head of the Civil Administration, Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim."
