Gush Etzion
Palestinian movement restricted in Gush Etzion
Security officials decide on multiple steps to counter violence in West Bank region after deadly attack; 'It's already turned into a ghetto.'
The movement of Palestinians will be temporarily restricted in the Gush Etzion region of the West Bank in the wake of an attack in the area that killed three civilians,
security officials decided on Friday.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and Gush Etzion Regional Council Mayor David Perl met for a situational assessment after the attack and agreed to adopt a series of steps in the area, including the limitation of movement.
IDF troops at Gush Etzion junction on Thursday after the attack that killed 3. (Photo: Reuters)
Also agreed upon was the deployment of additional security forces to Gush Etzion, to focus on confronting rock throwers and preventing both vehicular and stabbing attacks.
The three officials also concluded that a fence would be built along certain highways, in places where Palestinians have thrown rocks or fired at vehicles driving by.
The regional council called on residents who own firearms to voluntarily accompany children on school buses as potential first responders in case of a security incident.
Many residents, however, are keeping their hopes for a secure reality in check.
"It's already turned into a ghetto and security still isn't perfect," said Oz Zapidia. "The Palestinians walk around here and any one of them could be a ticking time bomb."
Besides the bloody attack that occurred on Thursday, the past several weeks have seen a major spike in violence in the Gush Etzion region.
