Israeli forces demolish wildcat outpost after settlers start residing there

Several dozen settlers are removed from an illegal outpost in the northern West Bank by Border Police and Civil Administration forces, after the activists took up residence there.

The evacuation is the latest in a series of similar incidents in which wildcat settler outposts have been removed by security forces, despite the pro-settlements agenda of much of the current coalition.

The outpost, dubbed Gofna, was first established in July last year during a large campaign to set up several new settlements, but was evacuated by security personnel almost immediately.

According to settler activists, several buildings — including some made of unsecured cinderblocks — were built at the site in recent days and last night six families took up residence there.

Settlers allege the security forces acted violently during the evacuation, but the Civil Administration says the activists sought to physically prevent officers from removing them and demolishing the structures at the site. It adds that no arrests were made during the operation.