Jewish 'hilltop youth' set homes and cars ablaze in Palestinian village, attack soldiers after IDF evacuates illegal settlement outpost

Clashes broke out on Monday morning as security forces worked for several hours to evacuate an illegal outpost at Givat Tzur Misgavi in the Gush Etzion area. Border Police officers fired tear gas grenades at “hilltop youth” who threw stones at them.

The evacuation of the outpost, home to about 25 families, was carried out following an order signed by the head of the IDF's Central Command, Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth.

After the evacuation, footage was circulated showing vehicles set on fire by Jewish rioters in the village of al-Jaba, near Givat Tzur Misgavi. A security source said that a house was also set ablaze, and IDF forces arrived after the perpetrators had left.

Police and the IDF stated that during the evacuation of uninhabited structures at the site, violent disturbances broke out involving dozens of those resisting evacuation and hundreds of rioters.

According to a joint statement from the IDF and the Police Spokespersons, several Border Police officers were injured by the violence, which included stone-throwing, the throwing of iron rods, and moving tires and vehicles. One officer was injured on the head by a stone that was thrown at him.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the arson attacks: “I view with great severity the violent disturbances and the attempt by an extremist minority – which does not represent the settlers in Judea and Samaria – to take the law into their own hands. I call on law enforcement authorities to prosecute the rioters to the fullest extent. I intend to deal with this personally and convene the relevant ministers as soon as possible to address this serious phenomenon. I commend the IDF and security forces, who will continue to act resolutely and fearlessly to maintain order.”

The IDF commented on the events: “After evacuating the illegal structures in the Wadi Kanub area of the Etzion Brigade, IDF, Border Police, and police forces rushed to the village of Jaba following a report of dozens of Israeli civilians who had set fire to and vandalized homes and vehicles in the area. Security forces are searching for those involved; the incident is still ongoing. The IDF views all forms of violence severely, as it harms security in the area, and is working to enforce law and order. These acts of violence divert commanders’ and soldiers’ attention from defense missions and counterterrorism operations.”

“We will not tolerate attempts by a violent, criminal handful of anarchist lawbreakers to take the law into their own hands and tarnish the settler community. We will not allow them to harm IDF soldiers, disrupt order, or divert forces from missions of defending Israeli civilians and thwarting Palestinian terror,” Defense Minister Israel Katz commented.

Dozens of protesters arrived at the “Havat HaTilim” farm in Gush Etzion following calls by right-wing activists and prominent settlement figures to come and protest the evacuation.

Clashes broke out between the rioters and security forces, during which a police officer was injured in the eye by a thrown stone. Earlier, IDF forces placed roadblocks on roads leading to settlements in Gush Etzion, but several hilltop youth who confronted them managed to get through and made their way toward the outpost.

The destruction of the outpost is considered relatively unusual, as the past two years saw only minor-scale demolitions compared to this morning’s operation, which involved many security forces. The hill, located in eastern Gush Etzion and part of Area C under Israeli control, has housed about 25 families for more than a year.

The Gush Etzion Regional Council expressed opposition to the demolition. Orders to demolish the outpost had been issued in the past, and this morning it was carried out under a military commander’s order and with the knowledge of political authorities. About twenty structures were destroyed.

This Monday morning’s operation appears to be an attempt to prevent the spread of nationalist crime in Judea and Samaria, as well as the expansion of farms eastward in Gush Etzion. Until the end of 2023, Arab families lived illegally in the area and left when the war in Gaza broke out. In their place, the families currently living on the hill arrived, establishing homes and a synagogue and effectively laying the groundwork for a settlement.

The Civil Administration stated that this was an illegal settlement and that its evacuation was carried out according to the law and regulations in the area.

“The evacuation is being conducted based on an order signed by the head of Central Command after criminal activity and severe cases of violence occurred at the site that affected regional security. The IDF and all security bodies will continue to act to strengthen security and maintain law and order in Judea and Samaria.”

Hagar, a resident of the nearby outpost Pnei Kedem, shared her feelings in an interview with Esti Perez Ben Ami on the program “At Midday”: “A terrible injustice is happening here – Jews are coming to expel Jews. They treat us like the worst criminals. There are 30 families here, women after childbirth, and children. Finally there is Jewish settlement here.”

Deputy Knesset Speaker Limor Son Har-Melech called to stop the evacuation and criticized the Gush Etzion Regional Council saying, “At this very moment, the council and the Amana movement are seeking to demolish about 30 homes at Havat HaTilim, Givat Derech Hashem, and the nearby young settlement near Metzud. Nothing has changed. The two see settlement as an economic asset. This is a dangerous precedent that will lead to a wave of demolitions, and the Land of Israel will not forgive you.”

The head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, Yaron Rosenthal, responded to the criticism in an interview on “At Midday” on Kan News, Reshet Bet: “Whoever throws stones belongs in prison – this is very serious. We stand with the security forces. Whoever throws stones at the security forces throws stones at all of us.”

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