IDF Rescues Leftists Who Went to Ramallah to Celebrate Ramadan Feast

Nine Israelis were successfully rescued from Ramallah, after they entered the city Wednesday night, the IDF said Thursday. The Israelis were not harmed, but the vehicles they used to enter Ramallah were destroyed by rioters.

The Israelis were members of a leftist group who had gone to Ramallah to join in an iftar (post-Ramadan feast) meal. The group had been invited by members of a Palestinian group, and they entered Ramallah through the Kalandiya crossing. Late Wednesday, IDF officials got word that a riot was erupting in Ramallah and that Israeli cars were being stoned. An IDF unit entered Ramallah and quickly removed the Israelis, who feared that the Arab mob was set to attack them.

Entry into Ramallah, which is under Palestinian Authority civil and military control, is illegal. Officials did not say if they would charge the nine leftists with violation of that law.

Also Wednesday night, two Palestinian police officers were killed in Shechem by unidentified individuals. The two were killed when they responded to a call by a fellow officer who was being fired upon by members of a criminal gang, who were holed up in a house. The two were shot and killed by shots fired from the house.