A man set fire to an Israeli Border Police tent on the Kippah Srugah hill next to the settlement of Yitzhar on Thursday night. The tent was set up in order to enforce the order that declared the hill a closed military zone. The suspect fled the scene; Border Police forces are searching the area. Police said nobody was injured in the incident.
Last week there were two attacks against IDF soldiers and Border Police officers next to the settlement. Early Thursday morning, Border Police forces and the Civil Administration evacuated several wooden tents and demolished a small building on the Shevah Haaretz hill next to the settlement. Border Police reported that the buildings were not used for housing. The contents of the building - including tables and benches - were confiscated.
On Monday night, an IDF combat soldier was attacked by 30 settlers from an outpost in the Yitzhar area who threw stones at him and damaged the tires of an IDF vehicle. Two days after the incident, there was another attack by settlers who threw rocks at Border Police officers.
Both incidents happened after the arrest of a resident of Yitzhar under the suspicion of blocking the vehicle of the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion commander. The suspect opened the SUV door and made threats toward those in it, including the battalion commander.
Following the incidents, it was decided to station two Border Police companies next to the settlement of Yitzhar. The companies were moved from the Tapuah region in the Samaria operational area and replaced the IDF force that is now stationed in the settlement.