Furious Jewish settlers attack Palestinians

ISRAELI police using stun grenades evicted Jewish settlers from a disputed house in Hebron yesterday, prompting mobs to go on a rampage and attack Palestinians in the volatile West Bank city.

Furious settlers fired shots, hurled rocks, set fire to Palestinian homes and fields, and clashed with security forces following the eviction carried out by about 100 officers.

Relatives said three Palestinians suffered gunshot wounds and were evacuated by helicopter, while police said five civilians and two policemen were injured during the eviction itself. Medics said there were further injuries during ensuing clashes.

A cloud of black smoke covered the neighbourhood as hard line supporters of the settlers set Palestinian olive fields alight and, according to residents, torched two homes and a dozen cars.

In several areas of the city, youths clashed with security forces who responded with tear gas.

“It could have been worse,” Danny Poleg of the Israeli police said after officers found objects residents of the disputed house intended to use as weapons, including potatoes studded with nails.

Police used blowtorches to seal the house shut after using stun grenades and tear gas to force the settlers out of the building.

The eviction followed a November 16 Israeli High Court order for the settlers to leave the house they claim they bought legally from a Palestinian who denies selling it.