West Bank clashes: Explosive device hurled at soldiers
Palestinians throw stones, Molotov cocktails at IDF forces as tension mounts; Jewish teens indicted for 'price tag' attack
Palestinians and Settlers class near Yitzhar (Photo: EPA)
Related Stories
- Rock attacks terrorize West Bank drivers
- Shin bet nabs West Bank terror cell
IDF, PA collaboration in West Bank faltering
A few months ago it seemed that the number of rock-throwing incidents had dramatically declined, but violence in the West Bank has rapidly escalated since Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, with settlers finding themselves constantly under threat, specifically on the main Hebron-Gush Etzion road.
Near the Harasha outpost in the Binyamin region, the vehicle of a civilian security officer was stoned by a group of rioting Palestinians, IDF forces employed crowd-control equipment in an effort to quell the unrest. .
At Givat Hashkediya, an outpost near Yitzhar, Palestinians stoned IDF forces attempting to disperse them, while additional clashes between settlers and Palestinians were also reported in the area.
Near the outpost Esh Kadosh, also in the Benyamin region, riots raged for the second consecutive day, with dozens of Palestinians throwing stones for several hours while IDF forces attempted to disperse them with riot control gear.
West Bank tensions rise (Photo: Tazpit news agency)
Stone throwers (Photo: West Bank rescue services)
Additionally, stones were thrown at a bus and a number of Israeli vehicles throughout the West Bank and a few incidents of Molotov cocktails being thrown at Israeli cars were also reported. As a result of the ongoing hostilities, two Palestinians were arrested.
Price tag
Also on Thursday, an indictment was filed against three Jewish youths from West Bank settlements charging them with a price tag attack three weeks ago, near the southern part of Mount Hebron.
According to the indictment the three, aged 20 to 23, from the settlements of Yakir, Yitzhar and Beit El, entered the Palestinian village of al-Asja and set a number of cars ablaze. The three then continued to spray paint the words "price tag" on a nearby wall. Among other things, they are being charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and arson.
