Confrontations reported between settlers and Palestinians near Homesh outpost

Confrontations between Israeli settlers and Palestinians close to the illegal outpost of Homesh were reported Wednesday evening, with conflicting reports of events.

Palestinian media outlets first report that settlers had attacked homes in the village of Burqa adjacent to Homesh. Shortly afterwards, a statement is issued by a spokesperson for Homesh saying that “dozens” of Palestinians had marched toward the outpost, threw stones at the IDF soldiers and settlers present, and set fires close by.

The statement adds that IDF soldiers forced the Palestinians back to Burqa. The IDF is yet to issue a statement on the incident however.

A new yeshiva building for Homesh was constructed in the outpost overnight Sunday on state land as a replacement for a previous structure built on private Palestinian land. The development came after a military order barring Israelis from residing in the area was lifted last week, which itself followed the passage of a law in March revoking a 2005 legislative ban on Israelis entering the area.

Settler activists seek to re-establish Homesh as a fully functioning, legal settlement, while opponents, including the residents of Burqa oppose the settlement activity since it prevents them from obtaining access to their land.