April 8, 2009

Armed Jewish settlers fr. Gush Etzion and Bet Ayn (see 4/2), escorted by IDF troops, rampage through the nearby Palestinian village of Khirbat Safa, firing on homes, wounding 6 Palestinians; when Palestinians begin to stone the settlers, IDF troops intervene, bringing in reinforcements, occupying 3 homes as staging bases, imposing a curfew, and firing live ammunition, percussion grenades, and tear gas at Palestinians, sparking a 90-min. riot that leaves another 35 Palestinians injured (including 6 wounded by IDF gunfire and 3 by settler gunfire). The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin. (AFP 4/8; PCHR, WT 4/9; OCHA 4/15; PCHR 4/16)