According to officials, residents of Yishuv Yitzhar in Shomron attacked a border police force that was operating in the yishuv area with stones. The force used a stun grenade, which resulted in the cessation of the attacks. No arrests were made.

Residents of Yishuv Yitzhar on Monday evening hurled rocks at a border police force. According to a security official, the incident occurred close to 9:30PM, when ten area residents began hurling stones at the border police operating in the area. The force responded with a stun grenade, resulting in the attackers fleeing the scene. No arrests were made at the time.

It is also reported the latest attack follows an attack involving some 30 residents, who attacked border police on Sunday morning, during the predawn hours, hurling stones at them. No arrests were made then either. The Kumi Ori (קומי אורי) hilltop, where the attack occurred, was declared a ‘closed military zone’ as a result. Only residents of the outpost on the hilltop are permitted to enter.

According to authorities, the hilltop in question is serving as a ‘city of refuge’ for hilltop youths involved in law-breaking activities as well as other ‘extremists’ wanted by authorities for questioning regarding ‘price tag’ attacks in Palestinian villages as well as other acts of violence against Palestinians and Israeli security authorities.

That said, there was a rally outside the Chatmar Shomron IDF headquarters by residents of the community of Yitzhar, the vast majority of whom express support for the security forces and condemn the attacks. IDF Central District Commander Major-General Nadav Padan appeared at the support rally as did the head of the Shomron Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, with participants in the rally explaining the actions of a few are harmful to the entire settlement enterprise, as those illegal actions depict them in a bad light.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)