JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says it has demolished the home of a Palestinian man who fatally stabbed an Israeli civilian in the West Bank city of Hebron late last year.

The Palestinian, Ehab Maswada, stabbed the Israeli, Gennady Kaufman, outside a site holy to Jews and Muslims. Maswada was then shot and killed by officers at the scene.

Israel says home demolitions are an effective tool to deter attacks, but critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment. Israel completed the demolition early Thursday.

The last six months have seen a wave of Palestinian attacks that have killed 28 Israelis and two Americans. During that time, at least 188 Palestinians have died by Israeli fire. Israel says most were attackers, and the rest died in clashes with security forces.