More clashes near Jerusalem

JERUSALEM -- Dozens of Palestinian youths clashed with Israeli forces in a Jerusalem suburb yesterday, the second day of violent confrontations in the holy city where tensions have been running high.

The clash erupted after the funeral of a 23-year-old Palestinian who was shot dead Friday by Israeli forces.

In yesterday's confrontation in the West Bank district of al-Ram abutting Jerusalem, dozens of Palestinian youths, some masked, hurled rocks and firecrackers at troops. They took cover behind barricades of overturned garbage containers and black plumes of smoke from burning tires.

Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel pellets, protecting themselves with plastic masks and shields. Neither side reported injuries.

Palestinian protesters prevented cars from entering the sprawling neighborhood, fearing some might carry undercover Israeli troops. The youths also prepared firebombs, but it wasn't clear if any were thrown at Israeli forces.

The clashes came a day after Talat Ramia was shot and killed as he hurled fireworks at Israeli forces in al-Ram. Palestinian youths have recently began using fireworks to rattle -- and potentially injure -- Israeli forces. The handheld brown cylinders make a hissing noise and emit a stream of sparks before they explode.

An Israeli military spokesman could not immediately say if opening fire under such circumstances violated the army's rules of engagement. The army said it was investigating the shooting.

Palestinians and their supporters complain that such investigations rarely lead to indictments against soldiers.