Hotel raid averted?
Far right activists at Gaza hotel wanted for questioning over recent attack on Palestinians to report to police voluntarily, authorities to refrain from storming building, activists’ attorney says; Police official denies deal reached
GUSH KATIF - Security authorities and far right activists barricaded at a Gush Katif hotel in the Gaza Strip have struck a deal in a bid to avert a tense standoff, the activists’ attorney said Saturday evening.
A senior police official, however, denied an agreement has been reached
According to the activists, hotel residents wanted for questioning in connection with a recent attack on Palestinians would arrive at the police station voluntarily. The activists are expected to submit to an interrogation after police authorities forward a list of suspects Sunday.
The deal was reportedly reached following discussions between IDF Gaza forces commander Aviv Kochavi and the activists’ representative, attorney Moti Mintzer.
However, police commander Shimon Ben-Harush told Ynet no agreement has been reached.
“There’s no deal. Not with me and not with any other police officer,” he said. “Nobody is doing us a favor. Whoever was asked to come in for questioning will come in.”
Following some tense days, quiet has prevailed over the hotel during the weekend, with dozens of additional far right activists from the West Bank arriving for a visit. Activists at the hotel estimated that even if security forces were planning to storm the hotel, the operation would be postponed by several days at least.
Rightists to establish 3 new strongholds
Later Saturday, more right-wing activists flocked to the hotel, on Gaza’s shore, for fear that security forces would decide to raid the building after all. Meanwhile, those at the hotel continued to stock up food and other means in a bid to thwart a possible raid.
Meanwhile, far right activists say they are planning to establish three new “strongholds” in Gaza. The new strongholds are expected to be manned at least in part by residents of the Gush Katif hotel of Maoz HaYam, where the activists have been gathered.
Activist leader Arik Yitzhaki told Ynet the new strongholds are expected to be established as early as this week.
“These strongholds will become just as known as the Maoz HaYam hotel,” he said. “If security forces seek to find us, they will have to divide their forces.”
During the weekend several dozen far right activists from West Bank yeshivas, as well as a number of Gush Katif settlers, arrived at the hotel as reinforcement.
Hotel employees said they estimate a security forces raid on the hotel would be delayed by at least a few days due to the aforementioned deal.
Late Saturday more activists poured into the hotel for fear the police would raid the premises despite the reported deal. The hotel is continuing to gather supplies to accommodate hundreds of additional barricaded activists.
