Israelis, Palestinians mark one month of clashes

Fighting and funerals in West Bank, Gaza

In this story: Overnight clashes 'Day of rage' Clinton enlists German help Coalition efforts continue RELATED STORIES, SITES

CNN Correspondent Fionnula Sweeney contributed to this report.

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- One month after the beginning of Israeli-Palestinian clashes, fighting continued in the West Bank and Gaza, while funerals were held Saturday for four Palestinians killed in the violence.

The funerals were held in both territories for victims killed in Friday's clashes. At least 140 people have died in the violence since it began September 28, most of them Palestinians.

Some 5,000 mourners gathered in Gaza City, and thousands more were expected in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Battles were reported on Saturday between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters at the Erez Crossing along the Gaza and Israeli border. At least one Palestinian was injured.

GALLERY Timeline gallery: Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon    VIDEO CNN's Jerrold Kessel interviews Israeli Col. Gal Hirsch during a gun battle with Palestinians (October 27) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     AUDIO Colonel Gal Hirsh of the Israeli Defense Forces comments on the fighting in Ramallah on Friday 851K/40 sec. AIFF or WAV sound     MESSAGE BOARD Mideast peace     RESOURCES Mideast struggle for peace     ALSO Israeli policemen suspended for allegedly beating Palestinian suspect Israeli-Palestinian gunfight breaks out in Hebron despite curfew

Overnight clashes

Overnight, Israeli helicopter gunships opened fire against Palestinian targets in the West Bank Arab town of Beit Jalla, where police said Palestinians were firing on the adjacent Jewish neighborhood of Gilo, outside Jerusalem.

Israeli soldiers initially fired machine guns at Beit Jalla and around midnight, a helicopter cruised over the village and fired a missile.

In Gilo, Israeli tanks fired two shells, targeting suspected assailants, police said. There were no reports of injuries.

'Day of rage'

Friday's unrest in Palestinian cities throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip marked an upsurge in fighting after several days of comparatively low-level violence. More than 150 Palestinians were injured, while four Israeli troops were hurt.

Friday's mayhem began with Palestinians pouring out of mosques following midday prayers and clashing with Israeli troops, in what the Palestinian Fatah movement called a "day of rage."

Fatah is recognized as the political arm of Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.

Fatah declared Fridays "days of rage" after Israeli opposition Likud party leader Ariel Sharon visited an east Jerusalem site holy to both Muslims and Jews on September 28 -- a visit Palestinians, who revile Sharon, viewed as intensely provocative.

Israel, which has suspended peace negotiations with the Palestinians, also insists that restoring calm is a precondition for new talks.

Both sides blame the other for the continued fighting.

Clinton enlists German help

Friday, U.S. President Bill Clinton telephoned German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to enlist his aid in resolving the situation, according to White House spokesman P.J. Crowley.

Schroeder is scheduled to travel to Cairo, Egypt; Beirut, Lebanon; Damascus, Syria; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Amman, Jordan, Crowley said, adding that the chancellor was expected to meet separately with Barak and Arafat.

"The president encouraged him to deliver a firm message on urging the two sides to overcome the violence and get back to the peace process," Crowley said.

Coalition efforts continue

Meanwhile, Barak's efforts to hold power by forming a so-called emergency coalition government with Sharon continued, so far, without success.

Sharon was said to be holding out for a veto on security issues before joining Barak's proposed coalition.

Time is running out for the prime minister's crumbling government, which faces the opening session of Israel's parliament on Monday.

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October 21, 2000

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