Israeli forces evacuate Ofra settlement amid protests

Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Israeli security forces were met by hundreds of protesters in the West Bank settlement of Ofra where authorities were evacuating settlers from houses a court ruled were illegally built on private Palestinian land.

The mostly unarmed troops dressed in bright blue sweaters were ordered on Tuesday to clear the settlers from eight of nine homes set for demolition, the Times of Israel reported. Some protesters -- most of whom were religious activists considered right-wing in Israel -- barricaded themselves in some homes, prayed, climbed on roofs and urged police to refuse the orders.

Some minor clashes were reported between officers and younger protesters. Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said at least one person has been arrested for attacking police. Authorities blocked off access to the area to prevent more activists from joining the protest.

"The evacuation of the nine homes has begun, in accordance with the High Court order. At the same time, negotiations are continuing with the settlers and local leadership, to allow the operation to go forward without violence," police said in a statement.

More than 400,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank since Israel occupied the territory since the Six-Day War in 1967. Ofra was one of the first settlements established after the war.

Earlier in February, a court ruled the nine homes should be demolished by Sunday. Israel's High Court of Justice on Monday rejected an appeal requesting the homes be sealed rather than destroyed.

"In accordance with the instructions of the political echelon to evacuate nine buildings in Ofra, troops are now deploying across the settlement to prepare for the evacuation and to keep law and order on the scene," the Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement.