The Israeli army has prevented a group of Israeli peace activists from helping local Palestinians rebuild two Palestinian homes which were demolished severaldays ago.

Troops ordered activists and journalists out of the village of Kifl Harith which is close to the Israeli settlement of Ariel in the West Bank, saying the area was a closed military zone.

Israel demolishes scores of Palestinian homes each year.

Israel says it destroys houses built illegally; Palestinians say it is virtually impossible for them to obtain permits to build.