Forcible Evacuation Of Hebron's "Beit Hashalom" Takes Settlers By Surprise

The forcible eviction of hundreds of settlers in Hebron's Beit Hashalom otherwise known as the house
of contention began on Thursday afternoon. Severe clashes erupted between security forces and settlers.

Security officials estimate that upto 300 settlers blockaded themselves inside the building.
Shortly after the evacuation began Zaka reported at least 20  casualties including some
who were unconscious. Unconfirmed reports claimed settler leader Baruch Marzel suffered a serious head injury.

The move caught the settlers unaware and came just hours after Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with settler leaders and declared that the evacuation of the house would take place.

At one point during the evacuation, soldiers entered the portion of the building which had been used
as a sanctuary by the Jewish occupants, and where 20 to 30 people were praying.

Police began to pull out the protesters as they yelled, "God is one." IDF officers from the Central Command said an order was given to evacuate the protesters "with the utmost sensitivity,
but warned that force would be used if the security forces are confronted with violence.12/04/08