On Sunday, 78 terrorists (out of 90) were released from Ofer Prison as part of the hostage release deal with the Hamas terrorist organization. In response, settlers in Judea and Samaria blocked roads intended for the return of the released terrorists to their homes, in an effort to “prevent the next massacre.”
According to the settlers, the terrorists released on Sunday were expected to return to various locations across Judea and Samaria, including Jerusalem, Shechem, Qalqilya, Mount Hebron, Jericho, Bethlehem, Jenin, Gush Etzion, Ramallah, and Tulkarm.
Instructions were shared on Arab social media for the families of terrorists being released to Judea and Samaria, urging them to “beware of the settlers.” The message advised: “Families awaiting their loved ones from Ofer Prison should be cautious on their way back. It appears that settlers are waiting at the entrances of towns from which the prisoners are being released, possibly to attack them.”
The message continued: “When traveling home, do not travel in a convoy; instead, go separately to avoid being noticed. Refrain from honking your horn or using external flashing lights. Avoid showing any signs of celebration on public roads to prevent possible attacks by the army or settlers.”
Online messages on settlers’ forums warned, “All residents of Judea and Samaria are in danger. The locations of these villages are close to major roads and settlements in Judea and Samaria. There is almost no settlement in Judea and Samaria that does not have a village nearby where a freed terrorist is returning.”
Demonstrating settlers shouted Sunday night, “We are guarding our lives. We will not go like sheep to the slaughter! Everyone is now going out to block Ramallah.”
Meanwhile, on Sunday night, Kedumim Council Chairman Ozel Vatik addressed residents of the community and surrounding areas, stating, “Our fight to change the reality and eliminate the threat of Funduq is succeeding!”
Two weeks after two women and a policeman were murdered were murdered in a shooting attack in Al-Funduq, east of Qalqilya, in Samaria, Jewish presence was re-established Sunday morning in the murderers’ village. Jewish settlers arrived at the village and called for improved security measures and the demolition of illegal shops in the area (Samaria Jews Establish Presence in Murderers’ Village Al-Funduq).
In a letter issued to Kedumim residents Sunday evening, Vatik announced the success of the efforts to establish a Jewish presence point in Funduq. “After discussions with senior officials from the Civil Administration, the army, and the police, I am pleased to announce the following changes, which will begin in the coming days:
- Shops and structures obstructing traffic and blocking roads will be demolished and evacuated immediately.
- The process of mapping the houses and shops in the village, particularly along the roadside, was completed in an expedited manner at our insistence. This is a historic achievement, as nothing like this has been done in decades! Starting tomorrow, work stoppage orders will be issued for buildings in the village, along with demolition orders for houses that had previously received such orders. Demolition will begin this week and continue into next week.
- Traffic arrangements in Funduq will soon change. A continuous separation line will be marked along the village’s length, and a police car will be stationed to enforce order. Side exits will become one-way, reducing significant traffic jams, and parking on the roadside will be prohibited.
- We were promised an expedited completion of the Funduq bypass road. This morning, I requested that the Minister of Transportation rename the road to ‘Mavo Kedumim,’ reflecting its intended purpose rather than the name of the village where six Jews were murdered.”
