Israeli Troops Kill 3 Arabs, Wound 10 in Gaza Clashes

Israeli troops raided a Gaza Strip hide-out and killed two Palestinians who tried to flee, and a third Arab was killed Friday when soldiers fired at stone-throwing demonstrators after Muslim prayers, the army said.

In addition, at least 10 Palestinians were wounded in clashes with troops in the Gaza Strip, according to Arab hospital officials. An army spokesman confirmed four wounded.

The worst clashes erupted in Gaza City when dozens of people took to the streets after prayers at the local mosque, the army and Arab reports said.

Palestinan Flag Raised

“After prayers, they raised the Palestinian flag and threw stones,” said an army spokesman. Arab reporters said soldiers used clubs, rubber bullets and live ammunition to break up the protest.

The army said troops killed one protester and wounded four. Abdel Khalim Behid, 22, was shot during the disturbance and died at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital, officials said.

Late Thursday, troops tried to arrest three suspected firebomb throwers who reportedly were hiding in a home in Gaza City, the army said.

“Soldiers shouted for them to come out,” the army spokesman said. “They tried to escape and were shot.”

One man died at the scene, and the second at an Israeli hospital. A third Palestinian was captured unharmed.

More than 320 Palestinians have been killed in the yearlong rebellion, known as the intifada , against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In addition, 10 Israeli Jews and one Israeli Arab have been killed in the unrest.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir, in an effort to revive the Mideast peace process, plans to seek Egypt’s help in finding Palestinian negotiators who are not tied to the Palestine Liberation Organization, said Shamir aide Avi Pazner.

Shamir was quoted as confirming earlier reports that his peace efforts would be based on the 1978 Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt, which call for talks on Palestinian autonomy in the occupied lands before a final settlement of the conflict.

‘Possible to Speak to Others’

According to the Haaretz newspaper, Shamir said he would not insist that the accords be followed to the letter. “It is also possible to speak to others,” he was quoted as saying, referring to Palestinian representation in peace talks.

Pazner said Shamir envisions “a major role” for Egypt in helping find Palestinians acceptable to Israel, which has refused to negotiate with the PLO.