Nine more people, including a ten-year-old boy, are reported to have been killed, and hundreds more injured, during clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces earlier today. At least 28 people have been killed in four days of demonstrations. However, there are signs tonight that tensions might be easing as Israeli and Palestinian officals issued separate statements saying there is now agreement to end the violence.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, earlier called on the Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat, to use his influence to quell the violence. There are now concerns about the impact of the clashes on the Middle East peace process. The fear is that even if Yasser Arafat acts to quell the protests, the situation may have already spiralled beyond his control.
After three days of bloody clashes, the two sides did manage to arrange a temporary ceasefire last night, but the situation remains volatile and Israel has sent extra troops into the West Bank and Gaza. At times yesterday's clashes deteriorated into open warfare, with exchanges of live fire. Near Nablus in the West Bank, an Israeli tank was positioned near Palestinian rioters. Israeli officials believe that the clashes were not spontaneous.
