Riots erupted overnight Sunday when the IDF demolished homes of two terrorists—Anaan Hamad, 20, and Issa Asaf, 19, both from the Qalandiya refugee camp—who carried out a stabbing attack at the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City last December.
The demolitions of the two homes, which lasted four hours, were not carried out using explosives but hammers and other tools due to the overcrowding of the refugee camp. The prolonged period of time between the attack—in which Rabbi Reuven Biermacher, 45, a married father of seven, was killed while another was wounded—can be attributed to judicial proceedings and petitions presented before the Supreme Court.
Clashes in Dura between Palestinians and the IDF
During the violence that broke out, stones were pelted at IDF soldiers and gunshots were also fired at them. Soldiers responded to the unrest by attempting to disperse the crowds and used live fire which resulted in the wounding of four Palestinians. The wounded were evacuated to a government hospital in Ramallah in light-to-moderate condition. No IDF soldiers were injured in the violence.
IDF arrest brothers of Halla's Ariel's killer
(צילום: דובר צה"ל)
Also overnight, riots took place in Dura, southwest of Hebron, after IDF forces entered the village of Bani Na'im and arrested at least four Palestinians, two belonging to the same family. A vehicle was also confiscated.
The IDF reported that it had arrested two of the brothers of Mohammed Taraireh, the terrorist who murdered 13-year-old Hallel Yaffa Ariel asshe slept in her bed in Kiryat Arba last week. On Saturday, Taraireh’s sister was also arrested after praising the actions of her brother .During the operations, the IDF found and confiscated an M16 rifle, two pipe bombs and bottle of flammable paint.
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IDF arrest brothers of Mohammed Taraireh (Photo: IDF spokesperson's unit)
(צילום: דובר צה"ל)
Over the past few days, the IDF has tightened checkpoints in the Hebron area following two deadly attacks in Kiryat Arba and on Route 60 which claimed the lives of Hallel Yaffa Ariel and Miki Mark respectively.The IDF is also continuing in its hunt for the terrorists who carried out the drive-by shooting on Friday afternoon.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said Israel will reduce the amount of tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians each month, saying it would offset money Palestinian officials give to families of attackers.