Casualties in clashes between Israel, PA forces

RAMALLAH [MENL] -- Israeli and Palestinian Authority security forces waged pitched gun battles as more than 200 Palestinians were injured in clashes around the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the bloodiest violence since 1996.

Palestinian sources two PA soldiers were killed outside Ramallah on Monday. Two Israeli soldiers were injured. The battle lasted more for an hour as PA troops refused orders by their commanders to stop shooting.

By late afternoon, agents led by PA security chief Col. Jibril Rajoub arrived to a junction outside Ramallah to regain control over PA forces.

It was the first casualties in battles between Israeli and PA forces since the 1996 Palestinian riots in which nearly 100 Palestinians and 15 Israelis were killed.

In Jenin, Israeli soldiers fired at Palestinians that tried to overrun a roadblock. PA officers then opened fire. Sources said four PA officers and one Israeli officer were injured. Another officer was later injured.

Senior officers from both sides rushed to the scene and calmed down the atmosphere.

Palestinian sources said violent protests were reported in Bethlehem, northern Jerusalem, Hebron, Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm and the Gaza Strip. The sources said demonstrators hurled firebombs and stones and Israeli troops responded by firing rubber bullets.

The violence came during PA-organized demonstrations to mark what Palestinians termed the catastrophe of Israeli independence. The PA enforced a general strike as part of the protest.

"We will fight with all our might to stop settlements, to stop the Judaization of Jerusalem and to return the refugees," PA Finance Minister Mohammed Zohdi Nashashibi said. "I tell those who were injured today that you are the troops. We will not stop our struggle."

On Sunday, a 17-year-old Palestinian was killed and more than 50 injured in clashes with Israeli troops around the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The casualty was identified as Omar Awartani from Kalkilya.

In Ramallah, PA Chairman Yasser Arafat held on Sunday night an emergency session with Fatah leaders to discuss the violence. "Fatah condemns the Israeli measures against the detainees of the prison, and calls on the international community to exert pressure on Israel to free Palestinian prisoners, in line with its commitments," a Fatah statement said. "Fatah will continue to press the struggle for the release of the Palestinian prisoners."

Israeli security sources expect the violence to continue until Prime Minister Ehud Barak travels to the United States over the weekend. Barak is expected to meet President Bill Clinton.

An Israeli officer, Col. Koby Michael, said that in Tulkarm loyalists to PA Chairman Yasser Arafat fired upon Israeli troops on Saturday. He said the PA police did not intervene.

The Palestinian Legislative Council held Israel responsible for the violence and called on Palestinians to demonstrate.

In Israel's Meggido military prison, authorities restored order after four days of rioting by prisoners. Israeli and Palestinian sources said guards fired tear gas as prisoners held a rally. In response, Palestinian detainees threw objects at the guards and burned their tents. A military spokesman said a guard and two prisoners were slightly injured.