Palestinian security forces detain settlers at Joseph's tomb

Dozens Israeli settlers attempted to reach Joseph’s Tomb in the northern occupied West Bank district of Nablus overnight Saturday, before being escorted by Palestinian security forces who handed the settlers off to Israeli police, an Israeli army spokesperson said.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an news agency that Israeli forces received reports overnight Saturday that Israelis had “illegally entered Nablus,” and were heading toward Joseph’s Tomb.

The spokesperson said Israeli forces coordinated with Palestinian police, who responded and escorted the settlers out of the area before handing the settlers over to Israeli police forces.

Palestinians in the area threw rocks and firebombs at the settlers before they were detained in an attempt to stop them from entering the site, locals said.

Locals added that many settlers were injured, and some of their cars were set on fire.

Israeli media reported that Israeli forces detained five Israeli settlers, and that the rest escaped on their own.

The Israeli settlers claimed to Israeli media that they were assaulted by Palestinian security forces after Palestinians threw stones at them.

Joseph’s Tomb is revered by Jews, Muslims, Christians and Samaritans.