Settlers attack IDF forces with stones; officer injured
IDF arrived in the area of Huwara to disperse clashing crowds of Jews and Arabs, when settlers began throwing stones at a group of soldiers; incident adds to a series of violent confrontations during the weekend; IDF promises to work against 'extremists.'
The IDF confirmed the incident in a statement released by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, saying, "Several extremists attacked IDF forces with stones, resulting in an IDF officer being wounded in the hand."
The soldiers who were attacked belong to the Golani Brigade, which is currently stationed in the region.
The incident is just one in a series of violent confrontations between settlers and Palestinians and left-wing activists over the weekend.
Responding to the troubles over the weekend, the IDF described the how the latest incident took place.
"Over the weekend, clashes between settlers and Palestinians developed in the area of Huwara. About 50 settlers arrived," the statement read. "Following the confrontations, IDF and Border Police forces were deployed to the location in order to disperse the crowd. Extremists threw stones at Palestinians, and a Palestinian woman was injured and evacuated to receive medical treatment.
"The IDF views attempts to harm security forces extremely seriously and will work in cooperation with the legal authorities against these attempts."
The attack comes after some 15 masked men attacked representatives of the left-wing Ta-ayush organization with clubs and stones Friday, while it was accompanying Palestinian shepherds in the Binyamin region.
(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
