Two Border Police officers were lightly hurt on Monday afternoon after Palestinians hurled an explosive device at troops in the West Bank’s Aida Refugee Camp, near Rachel’s Tomb on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
One of the officers hit by the explosion was taken to Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center for further treatment. The second officer was treated at the scene, police said.
A Border Police spokesman said the group of some 40 Palestinians also hurled stones and launched marbles at troops.
“Border Police troops responded with riot dispersal means,” the spokesman said.
It was unclear what instigated the riot, but the spokesman said officers arrived after it began.
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There were no reports of Palestinians wounded in the clashes.
An ultra-Orthodox man within the heavily fortified space of Rachel’s Tomb. (Sege Attal/Flash 90)
Rachel’s Tomb is traditionally believed to be the burial place of the biblical matriarch Rachel. It is holy to Jews, Christians, Muslims, and members of other world religions.
The site is on the edge of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, but is surrounded by high walls and closely guarded by the military. A heavily fortified road used by pilgrims connects the enclave to Jerusalem’s southern neighborhoods.
Earlier Monday in Jenin, the Israel Defense Forces arrested Yahya Saadi, the son of Bassem Saadi, the currently detained leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group in the West Bank.
In a separate raid in the West Bank early Monday, a Palestinian man was killed and three alleged members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terror group were arrested.
