where IDF troops under Ariel Sharon killed at least 69 Palestinian villagers, two-thirds of them were women and children. 45 homes, a school and a mosque were destroyed. The attack began with a mortar barrage on the village. IDF deployed explosive charges to breach the barbed fence and mined roads to prevent Jordanian forces from intervening. At the same time at least 25 mortar shells were fired into Budrus (neighbouring village) before IDF troops simultaneously entered the village from 3 sides. Ariel Sharon wrote: "The orders were clear, Qibya was to be an example for everyone." Original documents showed that Sharon personally ordered his troops to achieve "maximal killing and damage to property", and post-operational reports speak of breaking into houses and clearing them with grenades and shooting.