Confrontation averted: Jewish families residing in Hebron market depart voluntarily; meanwhile, tensions rise ahead of evacuation of Amona outpost, settlers flock to area, some puncture IDF jeep, hurl stone at army post
Jewish families residing in Hebron's market voluntarily evacuated their homes Monday evening. Some families left with their belongings, whereas others left them behind and can received an extension to collect them by Thursday.
Meanwhile, community members in Hebron have arranged for alternate housing for the evacuees within the town.
Tensions Rise
Clash looming at West Bank outpost / Ronny Sofer
Acting Prime Minister Olmert meets with settler leaders, rejects request to delay razing of structures in illegal West Bank outpost of Amona. IDF stops settlers at roadblocks near Amona, 1,600 police officers to take part in evacuation
Hebron Jewish Community Spokesman Noam Arnon told Ynet the families left following "understandings reached with the defense establishment. We're honoring and agreement."
Attention will now focus on the illegal West Bank outpost of Amona, slated for evacuation Wednesday. Monday night, settlers attacked an IDF jeep near the outpost, punctured its tires, and proceeded to hurl stones at an army post near the settlement of Ofra.
The IDF says it is treating the matter severely. The army said the forces under attack are deployed in the area in order to protect the settlers, and noted the jeep whose tires were slices can no longer be utilized.
'Resolute struggle'
Earlier Monday, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rejected a request by settler leaders to delay the demolition of nine structures in Amona.
Following the session, settler leader Pinchas Wallerstein said: We were willing to do everything in order to prevent a rift within Israeli society…to our great regret, due to various considerations that may partly stem from political considerations, there was someone interested in razing the homes."
Meanwhile, the Yesha Council called on the public to flock to Amona for a "resolute struggle against the intention to raze and destroy."
"In areas blocked by the army, organize in groups and start walking in order to reach Amona at any price," the Council advised its supporters. According to the settlers, about a thousand backers already arrived at the outpost
Meanwhile, IDF troops at a West Bank roadblock stopped two buses carrying youths heading to Amona.
Earlier, a military order was signed allowing troops at roadblocks to prevent settlers from passing through if they are suspected of planning to reach Amona and disrupt the evacuation.
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