Amid unrest in West Bank, Israel demolishes homes of Palestinian militants in east Jerusalem

A Palestinian demonstrator uses a slingshot during clashes following a demonstration in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. Two Palestinian youths were killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank on Monday as fears spread of a further escalation in violence that has already killed several Israeli civilians and wounded hundreds of Palestinian protesters over the past days. The Red Crescent says 456 Palestinians have been injured in the violent protests over the last two days alone. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi) (The Associated Press)

Palestinian demonstrators run from tear gas fired by Israeli soldiers during clashes following a demonstration in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. A Palestinian youth was killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank on Monday as fears spread of a further escalation in violence that has already killed several Israeli civilians and wounded hundreds of Palestinian protesters over the past days. The Red Crescent says 456 Palestinians have been injured in the violent protests over the last two days alone. (AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi) (The Associated Press)

A Palestinian inspects the home of the Abu Jaber family that was demolished by the Israeli military in east Jerusalem, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015. The Israeli military on Tuesday demolished homes of two Palestinian militants in east Jerusalem, one of which belonged to family of Ghassan Abu Jaber who killed four worshippers in an attack on a synagogue last year. Although Ghassan Abu Jaber was immediately killed, Israel often carries out such demolitions of the homes of militants' families, believing it will deter future attacks. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) (The Associated Press)

Israel has demolished homes of two Palestinian militants who carried out deadly attacks in Jerusalem last year.

Tuesday's demolitions come amid weeks of heightened Palestinian unrest in east Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned he'll use a "strong hand" to quell the latest violent Palestinian protests and deadly attacks.

The military says the demolitions were carried out overnight at Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon's instructions.

The homes belonged to the families of a man who killed seven worshippers in a Jerusalem synagogue last year, and a second attacker who killed one person when he rammed a bulldozer into traffic.

Although the attackers were immediately killed, Israel often carries out such demolitions of the homes of militants' families, believing it will deter future attacks.