Israeli troops deploy across east Jerusalem and West Bank after violence over holy site
JERUSALEM — Israeli forces fanned out across East Jerusalem and the West Bank on Saturday, carrying out raids and arrests a day after three Palestinians were killed in violent protests and after three Israeli settlers were knifed to death in their kitchen during a birthday celebration.
Israeli soldiers blocked access to the village of Khobar in the West Bank, home to the 19-year-old Palestinian assailant who hopped the fence surrounding the Jewish settlement of Halamish on Friday night and stabbed to death three Israelis — a father and his two adult children — who had gathered for the Sabbath meal.
Israeli officials blamed the killings on Palestinian incitement. “It is a terrorist act committed by a human animal, infused with abhorrent hatred,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Palestinians in turn said it was Netanyahu who was acting recklessly.