A session of “peace talks” between Israeli and Palestinian Authority (PA) negotiators expected on Monday was cancelled after Israeli security forces shot dead three Arabs who attacked them in Kalandiya, in the early morning hours.
According to AFP, a PA official said: "The meeting that was to take place in Jericho...today was cancelled because of the Israeli crime committed in Kalandiya today."
"What happened today in Kalandiya shows the real intentions of the Israeli government," said PA Chairman president Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina.
He called on the U.S. Administration to "take serious and quick steps" to prevent the collapse of peace efforts.
Three Arabs were dead and 19 wounded by the IDF, which had no choice but to open fire after its forces came under a massive violent attack in the neighborhood north of Jerusalem.
The IDF said Monday that the incident took place during nighttime activity by security forces for the arrest of a wanted man in Kalandiya. In the course of the arrest, “an extremely violent disturbance” developed, and “many hundreds” of Arabs attacked the IDF force.
The IDF force that was providing security for the arresting squad took action to extricate it, and when the forces felt actual danger to their lives, they opened fire at the attackers. The wanted man, a terrorist, was arrested and taken to interrogation.