IDF soldiers in Qalqilya (archives)
Photo: AFP
Residents of the West Bank village of Azun, near Qalqilya, discovered on Friday morning that someone had hung leaflets outside their houses and on their mosques, warning them to stop hurling stones at IDF forces, or else the soldiers would fire at them and close down their businesses.
In the pamphlets, the residents were demanded to watch the village's children, who have a habit of throwing stones at IDF soldiers operating in the area.
A military inquiry revealed that the incident was an independent initiative carried out by an officer on Thursday night. The matter will be investigated thoroughly on Saturday evening.
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"We demand that the residents of Azun stop hurling stones and Molotov cocktails, and if you don't stop, we will enter the village, start firing at the residents and close down the businesses. This is our decision, and if you don’t stop the riots you will bear the responsibility," the leaflets read. They were signed by "Captain Joe".
IDF sources told Ynet that an inquiry into the incident revealed that an officer stationed in the area decided to hang one announcement on a building in the village.
According to the officials, however, the leaflet was removed immediately after it was discovered.
Several incidents have taken place around the village recently, with Palestinians hurling stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles traveling in the area and at IDF forces.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this report