Dozens of West Bank settlers treated for smoke inhalation after suspected arson by Palestinians
Large fire forced settlers out of their homes in the southern Hebron Hills community of Beit Hagai.
By MAARIV ONLINE, KARNI ELDADA fire believed to have been caused by Palestinian arsonists near a settlement(photo credit: MAARIV)
Israeli settlers in Judea and Samaria are reporting a number of cases of violent disturbances and suspected arson on Friday as the region endures the tense aftermath of what authorities are calling a terrorist attack against a Palestinian family that left a toddler dead.Dozens of settlers in the southern Hebron Hills community of Beit Hagai were evacuated from their homes after suffering from smoke inhalation sustained as a result of a brush fire that is believed to have been set by local Palestinians.In total, 30 people were given treatment. Fire crews worked to bring the blaze, which crept up dangerously close to the settlers' homes, under control.Three people were evacuated by an ambulance, while the other victims, including a Palestinian passerby who sought to help douse the blaze, suffered light injuries.Israelis living in the settlement of Yitzhar also reported on Friday that suspected Palestinian arsonists set fire to the southern slopes of the hilltop outpost.Jewish motorists throughout the West Bank are also reporting rock-throwing by Palestinians.