Israeli-Palestinian Clashes Escalate
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HEBRON, West Bank — Palestinian demonstrators shouting “God is great!” escalated their attacks on Israeli soldiers Friday with a new weapon: firebombs.
In the seventh straight day of protests in this tense West Bank city, gas-filled bottles exploded in staccato near the feet of Israeli troops, forcing them into retreat.
As some protesters threw the bottles, others concocted new firebombs or carried stones to the front for comrades to throw at the soldiers. Israeli troops responded with rubber bullets.
By the end of the day 39 Palestinians were injured--including one in critical condition with a head injury. An Israeli soldier was injured by a stone.
Relations between Israel and the Palestinians hit their lowest point this year after Israel began construction of a housing project on a hill in East Jerusalem that Palestinians claim as theirs.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk, who has been closely involved in the peace talks, said Friday that the situation “was fragile” and urged both sides to resume negotiations.
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