Settlers raid IDF base, injure commander
Two violent incidents recorded overnight as settlers protest expected outpost eviction: Near Ramat Gilad settlers pelt IDF commander's vehicle with stones, causing him, his deputy light injuries; another incident sees 50 settlers raiding IDF base in West Bank. One suspect arrested
Violent night clashes: Some 300 settlers hurled stones at Palestinian vehicles on the main road near the settlement of Ramat Gilad fearing an eviction on Monday night. They also opened the door of the Ephraim Brigade commander's jeep and pelted the vehicle with stones causing the officer and his deputy light wounds.
In a separate incident, some 50 settlers
and right-wing activists broke into the Ephraim Territorial Brigade's base in the West Bank in protest of the possible eviction of several illegal outposts early on Tuesday. Once inside the base, they torched tires, hurled Molotov cocktails and stones, and caused damage to vehicles. A settler from Beit El was arrested. Police have launched an investigation.
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The IDF said it expected rabbis and Yesha leaders to condemn the act. "The IDF regards acts directed against the army and its soldiers, which prevent it from focusing on its prime task of protecting Israeli civilians and residents, with great severity," a statement said. "The IDF takes orders from the political level and will continue to uphold the law in Judea and Samaria together with the police and Civil Administration undaunted by violence directed at it."
Remains of burning tires near the base (Photo: Yoav Zitun)
Monday saw tensions running high among West Bank settlers, ahead of the possible eviction of outposts.
Hundreds of police officers and IDF soldiers were deployed in the Kedumim area and the sector supervised by the Shomron Spatial Brigade, equipped with bulldozers.
Sources told Ynet that the illegal West Bank outpost of Mitzpe Yitzhar is likely to be evacuated overnight.
Hundreds of settlers and right-wing activists gathered on the premises, as well as at the nearby outpost of Ramat Gilad.
Heads of the settlement movement held intense talks on the issue with various government representatives throughout the day.
Ramat Gilad outpost. Will it be spared? (Photo: AFP)
Yesha Council head Danny Dayan was told that Defense Minister Ehud Barak had decided to cause negotiations held recently on the matter to break down and that forces are preparing to clear Mitzpe Yitzhar and Ramat Gilad.
MK Yaakov Katz (National Union) turned to two ministers and 20 MKs to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the matter. He claimed that Netanyahu had intervened by ordering to spare Ramart Gilad and evacuate only Mitzpe Yitzhar.
Mitzpe Yitzhar is adjacent to the settlement of Yitzhar and is home to five families and 20 more singles. Some 150 members of the Hilltop Youth camped out in Ramat Gilad on Monday night intending to resist any eviction attempt.
Yoav Zitun contributed to this report
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