Palestinian elder Ghazi Manasrah, 70, died of a heart attack after being assaulted by Israeli soldiers and forced to watch them attack his children while he tried to prevent the demolition of his home in Wadi Fukin, West of Bethlehem.

A video circulating online showed Israeli soldiers severely beating several Palestinians residents with batons and rifle butts while demolishing their house.

Six people sustained bruises and scratches in the assault, including 70-year-old Ghazi Badr Manasra, who suffered a stroke and was later pronounced dead.

Earlier the same day, the Israeli army demolished seven Palestinian homes in different parts of the West Bank, citing “construction without a permit”.

Israeli authorities prohibit construction and land rehabilitation in areas classified as “Area C” of the occupied West Bank without an Israeli issued permit – which Palestinians say is nearly impossible for them to obtain.