Israel cop killed during home demolition operation: Police

Tel Aviv: An Israeli policeman was killed on Wednesday while taking part in an operation to demolish homes in an Arab village, with authorities saying he was targeted in a car-ramming attack.

The driver was earlier reported shot dead by police in Umm al-Heiran in southern Israel. Residents disputed the police version of events, saying the driver was heading to the scene to talk with authorities in an attempt to halt the demolitions.

The policeman was identified as Erez Levi, 34, while the driver was named as Yacoub Abu al-Qiyan.