Troops hacked their way into a barricaded synagogue in the heart of biblical Israel on Tuesday as they evacuated defiant settlers from the northern West Bank after the historic pull-out of Jews from the Gaza Strip. Security forces also cleared several dozen religious students who had taken refuge inside a seminary.
Hundreds of West Bank settlers, some armed with primitive weapons and stun grenades, on Monday prepared to confront troops sent to evict them from their homes in the heart of biblical Israel. Israeli officials expressed fears that the settlers may have even stockpiled pistols in a bid to thwart their evacuation.