Israeli troops on Wednesday destroyed a Palestinian school in Hebron city in southern West Bank, saying it was an illegal construction, Palestinian witnesses said.

The witnesses said that Israeli troops besieged the school and forced teachers and students out before they demolished it.

The makeshift school was built six years ago from metal sheets. Nine teachers educate some 50 students in the school.

Israel said that the school was built on C areas, where Israel maintains security and administrative control. The Palestinians National Authority exerts full sovereignty on A areas and administrative power on B areas.