Thousands Mourn Slain Palestinians

Chanting for revenge, thousands of Palestinians poured into the streets of the West Bank on Friday for the funeral of two gunmen killed in an Israeli helicopter attack.

In Israel, a 23-year-old army lieutenant who was killed in a revenge attack for the helicopter strike was buried Friday.

Palestinian officials, meanwhile, suggested that Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres’ announcement that he would meet next week with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat was premature. More preparation is needed, said Palestinian Planning Minister Nabil Shaath.

In the West Bank city of Tulkarm, local militia leader Raed Karmi threatened to carry out further attacks against Israel as revenge for a missile strike Thursday. Karmi, who was the target of the attack, jumped from a car before missiles slammed into it, but two of his gunmen were killed.

Israel says Karmi has killed six Israelis. Karmi has admitted to killing at least two.