2 Palestinian Girls Wounded in Gaza as Israeli Fires on Stone Throwers

Two Palestinian girls were wounded Wednesday when an Israeli motorist opened fire to disperse demonstrators stoning his car in the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip, army officials said.

Hundreds of Palestinians, meanwhile, clashed with soldiers in anti-Israeli demonstrations throughout the Gaza Strip, and at least one protester was arrested, Palestinian sources said.

The shooting Wednesday came a day after Jewish settlers opened fire on stone-throwing students, killing a 17-year-old girl.

An Israeli army official said an Israeli motorist fired shots in the air at about 8 a.m. Wednesday after his vehicle was stoned by demonstrators at the El Wahda High School for Girls in Gaza City.

Two girls were later found wounded in the area.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said preliminary investigation indicated that the students were hit by the motorist’s gunfire but police were still investigating.

The Arab-run Palestine Press Service said that one girl, identified as Sylvia Atiyehmadi, 14, suffered internal injuries after being shot in the back.

The second victim, Mervette Shagliyeh, also 14, was shot in the leg, said the press agency. Israel army radio said the driver was being questioned by police in Gaza City. The radio quoted the man as saying he only fired warning shots in the air.

On Tuesday, Jewish settlers opened fire after their vehicles were stoned by demonstrators at a high school for girls in Deir al Balah, a village 10 miles south of Gaza City.

The shooting incidents brought protests Wednesday throughout the Gaza Strip, where about 300 Palestinian youths demonstrated in Palestine Square, shouting “Death to the murderers!” and hurling stones at military vehicles.

Soldiers dispersed them with tear gas, said a Palestinian reporter.