Israeli soldiers evict Jewish settlers in Hebron

Israeli soldiers have forcibly removed Jewish settlers from a disputed building in the West Bank city of Hebron. Hundreds of troops moved in after days of clashes between the settlers and local Palestinians. Some reports say police used tear gas and stun grenades during the raid, and dozens of people were injured. One policeman is said to be in a serious condition.

The Israeli High Court ordered the evacuation of the building last month, which was occupied by the settlers in March last year. They maintain they bought the building from a Palestinian man, but he denies he sold it to them. Hundreds of Jewish activists converged on the site in solidarity with the occupants. The Israeli army says it is worried that the tension in Hebron could spill over into other areas of the West Bank. The government says the building will be guarded by the army until a final court ruling on its ownership.

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tags: Israel, Mideast