Israeli cops evict Hebron settlers

Olmert plans to evacuate dozens of isolated settlements in the occupied West Bank and impose final borders by 2010 in the absence of peace talks with the Palestinians, although he has not said what he would do with Hebron.

Police coaxed out most of the two dozen settlers, some weeping, after using an electric saw and a sledgehammer to break through a door into the three-storey house near the heavily fortified Jewish settlement in the biblical city.

A few remained holed up inside, barricaded in one room and resisting a Supreme Court order to leave.

"We have not encountered any extreme incidents. We are working our way from door to door," said police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld.

Police earlier scuffled with scores of settlers' supporters outside the house, police and witnesses said. A dozen settlers were arrested and 13 policemen were injured, after settlers threw Molotov cocktails from the roof of the house, police said.

"This is crossing a red line," Aliz Amir, the Israeli police chief in Hebron, told Army Radio, referring to the fire bombs.

The settlers moved into the house last month, saying it had been bought from its Palestinian owners legally. Palestinians denied this.

Israel's Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the settlers to be evicted pending a ruling on ownership of the house.

"Palestinians will receive much strength today. There is no justice and no righteousness in this corrupt state," said Tzippora Schlissel, 40, after she left the house.

Palestinians regard Jewish settlements as a hated symbol of occupation.