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Israeli security forces went on high alert across the West Bank Thursday night as Jewish extremists embarked on an unprecedented rampage through Hebron in response to the afternoon’s unexpected and speedy evacuation of the city’s disputed Beit Hashalom.

Defense officials were concerned that Israeli-Palestinian violence would spread to other parts of the West Bank and even to the Temple Mount, where thousands of Muslims are due to gather Friday morning for weekly prayers. As a consequence, Jerusalem police announced late Thursday that they will restrict entry at the Mount: Only men over 45 with Israeli ID cards - and women of any age - will be allowed to the enter the compound for midday prayers.

Soon after the evacuation, settler youths took over a Palestinian home in the nearby valley between Kiryat Arba and Hebron, causing extensive damage. One man was caught on videotape pulling out a gun and shooting at the owner of the house and his son. Both Palestinians were evacuated by the IDF in serious condition; the shooter has yet to be apprehended.

On the other side of the valley, settler teens started a fire that threatened a Palestinian home. Settlers and Palestinians pelted one another with rocks as another group of settlers entered the Palestinian-controlled part of Hebron and set fire to at least three cars.

Source: Jelem Post (jpost.com)