West Bank heats up ahead of evacuation

The settlement of Netzarim is set to be evacuated on Monday, thus ending the Gaza portion of the evacuation. On Sunday the settlements of Atzmona, Katif, Ele Sinai and Shalev were evacuated by security forces. The evacuation of the West Bank settlements of Sa Nur and Homesh is scheduled to take place in the coming days, and it seems the operation may be complicated and perhaps even violent. Violent clashes in West Bank (Photo: IDF Spokeswoman's Office) As the evacuation of the northern West Bank settlements approaches, right wing activists increased tensions in the area when seven people were injured and fourteen others were arrested in a series of incidents reported in the last 24 hours in the area. Sa Nur settlers confront soldiers (Photo: Reuters) Five of those injured were members of the security forces, and several illegal infiltrators into the area have refused to identify themselves. Six activists have been transferred to the Maasiyahu prison, while the rest were questioned and released into central Israel. A group of eight right wing activists, one of whom was masked, attacked an IDF vehicle Sunday evening. The activists encircled the vehicle, punctured its tire, and poured gasoline on it. The officer inside the vehicle jumped out and pointed his weapon at the activists, who shouted, “don’t shoot, we’re Jews,” before escaping the scene. Police are investigating the incidents. Earlier, dozens of activists protested at the Kedumim Junction in the West Bank against army operations in the area, pouring oil and nails on the road and throwing stones at the army and police. The IDF has lodged a complaint with the police against the chairwoman of the Kedumim council, Daniella Weiss. According to the complaint, Weiss arrived at a military base in the area with five activists, caused a disturbance, and then left the area. 'IDF may be dragged into violent evacaution' Protesters also stoned police cars, injuring four policemen who received treatment on the scene. Settler pleading with IDF officer in Sa Nur (Photo: AFP) At the same time, police arrested two settlers who placed nails designed to puncture tires outside the Sa Nur settlement. Ten settlers have been arrested on suspicion of throwing rocks at police vehicles, though police emphasize that those disturbing the peace are not Kedumim residents, who are trying to calm the situation, but rather activists from outside the area. By Sunday evening, the operation to clear Gush Katif settlements was complete, and Monday will see the evacuation of Netzarim. In coming days, the West Bank settlements of Sa Nur and Homesh will be evacuated. A series of incidents began Sunday in the West Bank when Knesset Member Aryeh Eldad attempted to hold a press conference in Sa Nur. Residents in the area prevented journalists from entering, and the conference was held outside the settlement. Incidents continued when the army attempted to begin final preparations for the clearing of the area. Lieutenant Colonel Avi Dahen, commander of the 931-Shahem Battalion, responsible for West Bank settlements of Human and Sa Nur, told Ynet that “if the leadership of the area does not succeed in keeping within the red lines, and cannot prevent harm coming to police or soldiers, we will be dragged into a heavily violent evacuation that will harm both sides.” Northern West Bank clashes (Photo: AFP) Among a number of scenarios, the security community is preparing for the possibility that right wing activists will pour oil on the roads leading to Homesh, while tear gas may greet evacuating forces in Sa Nur. A large number of infiltrators have entered both settlements recently in preparation for the disengagement. Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report.