Hamas supporters on Friday clashed with Palestinian Authority policemen who
tried to stop them from attacking IDF soldiers and settlers in Hebron,
eyewitnesses reported.
The clash erupted following a Hamas rally in the
city marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Islamist terrorist
movement.
The PA leadership in the West Bank gave permission for the
Hamas rally.
Similar rallies have also taken place in the past few days
in Nablus, Kalkilya, Ramallah and Tulkarm.
The eyewitnesses said that
dozens of Hamas supporters began marching toward the Israeli-controlled part of
Hebron immediately after the rally.
PA policemen tried to stop the
protesters from approaching an IDF checkpoint, they added. At this point, the
Hamas supporters hurled stones and empty bottles at the Palestinian policemen.
No one was hurt.
A PA security official in Hebron denounced the Hamas
supporters for attacking Palestinian policemen.
The official said that
the policemen had been deployed in the city to maintain law and
order.
According to the official, the PA policemen received orders to
stop the Hamas supporters from marching toward the IDF soldiers and Jewish homes
“so as not to give Israel an excuse to invade our city.”