Hundreds of Israeli settlers arrested in violent Gaza protests (video here)

Israeli police have arrested about 500 supporters of the settlers movement, who they say were trying to sneak into the main settlement bloc at Gush Katif, in the Gaza Strip overnight.

The clash between the police and up to 1,000 pro-settlement protesters took place near the Kissufm entry point between Israel and Gush Katif.

Police say an Israeli army officer was injured in violent clashes which resulted in more than 500 arrests.

Local Israeli police chief Yuri Bar-Lev said another 250 protesters were forced back by his officers.

He described their behaviour as irresponsible and said it could lead to a catastrophe.

Israeli soldiers tore down the gate to Gaza's largest Jewish settlement and have begun to issue eviction orders to residents.

The main gate to Gaza's largest settlement, Neve Dekalim, had been locked shut by protesters, stopping security forces from moving in and issuing the residents with eviction orders.