Joseph’s Tomb. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Israel Defense Forces’ soldiers battled Palestinian rioters in the Samaria city of Shechem overnight on Tuesday, when local Arabs attacked in response to the arrival of worshippers who came to pray at the ancient tomb of the biblical Joseph.

Soldiers who were at the site to protect approximately 1,000 Jews who had coordinated with the army to pray at the site during the nighttime were met with firebombs and even live fire by Arabs from the city, which they call Nablus.

Two makeshift bombs were found inside the tomb, but were defused by sappers.

The IDF reported that the Jewish group was able to pray at Joseph’s Tomb without incident.

The Tomb of Joseph, son of the biblical Jacob, is located in Shechem, which became part of Area A in the Oslo Accords. Now under complete Palestinian Authority control, Israel’s military engages in security missions in the city as necessary.

Jewish Israeli citizens are typically prohibited from entering Area A; however, limited, coordinated visits to Joseph’s Tomb have become increasingly popular on a once-a-month basis.