’Israeli’ Police Evict Settlers from al-Khalil Homes

Local Editor

"Israeli" forces on Friday morning evicted dozens of Zionist settlers from two buildings that belong to Palestinians in al-Khalil Old City, a day after the settlers forced their way into them.

"Israeli" police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld said that Border Police removed more than 80 settlers from the homes. "All the people that illegally entered the buildings have been removed."

He added that the homes were afterward "sealed and closed off," and that "Israeli" courts would determine their future status.

Relatively, "Israeli" far-right news site Arutz Sheva reported Thursday that the settlers claim to have purchased the buildings from Palestinians.

The settlers stormed the homes in the tense city center on Thursday afternoon under the protection of the "Israeli" regime's army and police forces. Arutz Sheva published video footage of the settlers thanking the soldiers and officers.

In the context, Jawad Abu Aisheh, deputy head of local activist group "Youth Against Settlements", reported that dozens of settlers broke through the buildings' back doors and stormed the buildings.

He said: "The Border Police did not do anything to stop them." Instead, they began firing tear gas canisters at Palestinians protesting the settlers' actions. He further added that at least five Palestinians had to be treated for excessive tear gas inhalation.

The flashpoint Old City was declared a closed military zone in November following the recent resistance operations, and Palestinian residents came under higher-than-average restrictions by the "Israeli" regime's military that B'Tselem has called "draconian."

However, Friday's eviction raised a row among "Israeli" politicians, with members of the Knesset, the "Israeli" regime's parliament, threatening to leave PM Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition if the buildings remain evacuated.

For its part, "Israeli" media reported that MK's from political parties Likud and Habayit Hayehudi said they would no longer be obligated to stay in the coalition and would work to bring down the regime if the eviction continues.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team