Ramallah, West Bank: Israel sent more troops to the West Bank on Saturday, a day after a Palestinian stabbed to death three members of an Israeli family in their home and widespread Israeli-Palestinian clashes erupted over escalating tensions over Al Haram Al Sharif.
The father of the 20-year-old Palestinian assailant said he believes his son was upset over the loss of Palestinian lives and wanted to protect the “honour” of Al Haram Al Sharif in Occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in his meeting with commanders that the attacker’s home would be demolished swiftly. He called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to condemn the attack he described as a “slaughter.”
A senior Israeli government official blamed the latest round of violence on what he said was Palestinian incitement against Israel and called on Palestinian leaders to help restore calm.
Israel installed metal detectors at the gates of the 37-acre walled compound, portraying the devices as a needed security measure to prevent more attacks. Muslims alleged Israel was trying to expand its control at Al Haram Al Sharif under the guise of security — and launched mass prayer protests.
Michael Oren, a deputy minister for public diplomacy, alleged on Saturday that Hamas and Abbas’ government are exploiting tensions to incite violence. He said claims that Israel intends to change delicate arrangements at the Muslim-administered Al Haram Al Sharif are “emphatically untrue.”
Abbas has rejected Israeli incitement allegations, saying Israel’s 50-year-old occupation of lands sought for a Palestinian state is at the root of widespread Palestinian anger and helps drive violence.
The Abbas announcement dealt a setback to fledgling efforts by the Trump administration to revive long-dormant Israeli-Palestinian talks on a peace deal. Such efforts now seem moot as Israelis and Palestinians refuse to budge in the showdown over the Al Haram Al Sharif and violence threatens to escalate.
Israel’s military said on Saturday it sent more troops to the West Bank. It did not elaborate but said the decision came after hundreds of troops were deployed Friday. Israel’s chief of staff and defence minister visited the Halamish colony, the scene of the stabbing attack, on Saturday.
