Israel has declared the West Bank town of Hebron a "closed military zone," requiring all Jewish settlers who are not residents to leave by Tuesday morning. The military order comes in response to violent settler riots which began last Friday which included attacks on Palestinians, Palestinian property, as well as Israeli soldiers and police.
Palestinians in Hebron reported that settlers damaged many homes and burned dozens of businesses in their rampage. Israel has stated that it may offer those whose property has been damaged compensation.
"At first they burned stores in the old vegetable market," said Nidal Awaiwi, a resident of Hebron. "Afterwards they came to us and the shops under the house, and started to destroy everything they came across," he added.
"Suddenly we heard the sound of stones coming closer to us, and then stones fell into the home. I looked outside and saw a large group of settlers who entered my home, into the children's room. They took the television that was there, went up on the roof, and threw it down."
"They threw everything that came to hand, rocks, bottles, and even large rocks. I don't know where they got them from…all the while they hurled abuse that I am ashamed to repeat."
Israeli journalists who interviewed Palestinians regarding the riots were also targets of abuse from settlers, in addition to Israeli police officers, who were targeted with stones and curses.
