Hebron settlers move to Palestinian home

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HEBRON, West Bank, March 29 (UPI) -- West Bank settlers took up residency in a Hebron home near the Cave of the Patriarchs they say they bought from its Palestinian owner, officials said.

The Israeli Army imposed a closed military zone on the area and deployed troops shortly after a group of settlers entered the home near the Machpela Cave (Cave of Patriarchs) late Wednesday, Ynetnews.com said.

The army called the settlers' actions "an irresponsible move and a dangerous provocation that may inflame the situation ahead of Land Day," a statement said referring to the planned protests by Palestinians and other Arabs Friday to oppose Israeli occupation policies.

Unnamed settlers told the Web site they have legal documents attesting to the purchase of the house they call Machpela House, and said the takeover was conducted with military precision.

Israeli authorities are checking the legality of the alleged purchase and police deployed at the site have barred access to the building and informed those inside anyone leaving the building will not be permitted to return, Ynetnews.com said.