U.N. Issues Harsh Report as Strife, Barak’s Woes Continue in Mideast

Palestinians opened fire on the Jewish neighborhood of Gilo south of Jerusalem after nightfall Monday, shattering what had been a relatively quiet day, while Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak scrambled to save his government.

Meanwhile, U.N. human rights chief Mary Robinson said in Geneva that she was “shocked and dismayed and even devastated” at the plight of Palestinians confronting Israeli forces in the occupied territories.

In a hard-hitting report on her visit earlier this month to the Middle East, Robinson urged creation of an international monitoring body.

For the first time in three weeks Monday, no one was killed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as Palestinian Muslims marked the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Israeli soldiers fired at the Palestinian town of Beit Jala, source of the gunfire at Gilo. No casualties were reported.

On Sunday, gun battles in the West Bank and the shooting deaths of five Palestinians by Israeli troops set back hopes raised by rare meetings between Israeli and Palestinian security chiefs. Another Palestinian died Monday of wounds received earlier.

Barak rival Ariel Sharon asked the Supreme Court to force Barak’s Labor Party to allow for early elections if a simple majority of those in parliament asks for it.