Security forces use live fire to disperse ongoing clashes that broke out after settlers reportedly uprooted trees in Kusra, south of Nablus.
By BEN HARTMAN, JPOST.COM STAFFClashes settlers Palestinians IDF soldiers 311 R(photo credit: Reuters/Nayef Hashlamoun)
Six Palestinians were wounded Monday after IDF troops opened fire to disperse violent clashes that broke out after settlers reportedly uprooted trees in Kusra, south of NablusThe IDF spokesperson said that troops responded to a "larger than usual" clash between settlers and Palestinians when and were subsequently targeted by rock-throwing Palestinians.RELATED:Settlers block roads, train tracks on 'Day of Rage'Police chief: We must show restraint in West BankThe soldiers then responded with precision shooting at the rock-throwers, according to the spokesman's office.When asked if the soldiers first tried to fire in the air to disperse the rock-throwers, the spokesman's office said the incident was still under investigation.No soldiers were injured in the incident, but a number of settlers were lightly hurt by thrown rocks.Eqab Hassan, a resident of Kusra, south of Nablus, said about 20 settlers cut down olive trees belonging to the village. Its residents began throwing stones at the settlers who then opened fire, wounding 10 people, he said.Right wing activists carried out a "Day of Rage" last week after Border Police officers fired plastic bullets at settlers who tried to prevent the destruction of three structures at the Gilad Farm outpost in Samaria; 15 settlers were injured in that incident.Following the Gilad Farm incident, extremist activists engaged in a number of "price tag" activities, smashing Palestinian car windows, throwing a Molotov cocktail into a home and rolling burning tires into two West Bank Palestinian villages. On Monday night, activists blocked roads in Jerusalem and the West Bank.Reuters contributed to this report.
