It is reported that eleven Palestinians have been killed in separate clashes with Israeli security forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Earlier, the Israeli forces were put on alert across the country as the militant Islamic group, Hamas, prepared for its so-called "Day of Rage". Palestinians turned out in strength on the Gaza strip to bury one of yesterday's casualties and at the Netzarim Israeli security checkpoint they rallied to the Hamas movement's call. As shots rang out, any hopes that the delicate PLO-Israeli ceasefire could hold evaporated. At least three Palestinians were killed here confirming Netzarim as one of the most deadly flashpoints of this episode of violence.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem stones rained down on the site of the Jewish place of prayer, the Western Wall, as Muslim crowds gathered for Friday prayers further up the hill at the Al Aqsa Mosque, their faith's third holiest site. It was here that Ariel Sharon, the Israeli opposition leader had provoked the nine days of rioting with a visit yesterday week.
Palestinian rioters were met by gunfire, as they set fire to the Israeli police station at the Lion's Gate in the Old City. At least one Palestinian was killed by a bullet wound to the head. Near the West Bank city of Nablus, two more Palestinians were killed in what medical sources described as an exchange of fire between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen. Another Palestinian was killed by a bullet in his side in the West Bank town of Tulkarm. The death toll after nine days of violence comprises: at least 63 Palestinians, nine Arab Israelis, one Israeli soldier, a border guard and a Jewish civilian.
The authorities sealed off the West Bank and Gaza Strip and have barred Palestinians from entering Israel until Monday night, the end of the day-long Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. Israel traditionally closes off the territories for holidays, they were closed for 48 hours for Yom Kippur last year. But Israel Radio said that the army decided to impose it earlier because of the unrest.
The Israeli Prime Minister has called on the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, either to restart talks to strive for peace, or face stalemate and confrontation. Ehud Barak has also asked world leaders to put pressure on Mr Arafat to take steps to end the current violence between the Palestinian and Israeli security forces.
Muslims attending Friday prayers in Dublin heard a visiting Kuwaiti cleric denounce the killings of Palestinians by Israeli security forces and settlers over the past week. Over 700 worshippers at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Clonskea heard Imam Yousef Sanad cite passages from the Koran and the sayings from the prophets, highlighting the importance to their faith of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. A spokesperson for the centre accused the Israelis of killing the Palestinians intentionally by firing at their upper bodies. He reiterated the PLO's call for an independent international inquiry followed by appropriate action.
