The curfew in Hebron, lifted briefly yesterday and later re-imposed, was lifted again this morning as tension between Jews and Arabs in the West Bank town appeared to abate. Army sources said the curfew would be lifted permanently if the calm continued.
Hebron has been in a high state of anxiety since the murder of a yeshiva student, Aharon Gross, near the marketplace last Thursday and the retaliatory sacking and burning of the market by Jews from Kiryat Arba Thursday night while a curfew was in effect.
The curfew was removed yesterday to allow Arab residents to shop for the feast of Id Al Fiter which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. But it was re-imposed when a confrontation threatened between Moslem and Jewish worshippers at the Machpela cave, the Patriarchs tomb which is sacred to both faiths.
According to the army, about 3,000 Moslem worshippers gathered at the cave at 6 a.m. local time and hammered on the gates. The handful of Jewish worshippers inside felt threatened. Soldiers were rushed to the scene and moved the Jews to another prayer hall. The Moslems were permitted to enter the shrine in small groups without further incident.
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