The latest clashes between Arabs and security forces resulted in the death of a 10-year-old Palestinian boy in Gaza Wednesday and injuries to three other Palestinians in Nablus on Thursday.
At the same time, tension continued to rise between Jewish and Arab residents of Acre in Israel proper.
The Israel Defense Force is investigating the Gaza incident. According to an IDF announcement Thursday, the youngster, identified as Rami Khalil Abu Samra, was hit by bullets after an IDF patrol was attacked with a gasoline bomb in a Gaza street.
Military sources said the Molotov cocktail struck an IDF officer in the leg and exploded near him without causing injuries. The officer fired his weapon in the direction of the attackers.
The boy’s body was found later at the site of the shooting. The IDF report did not make clear whether the victim was identified as the perpetrator of the firebomb attack.
The violence in Nablus — confined to the casbah, the old part of town — stemmed from clashes between Israeli troops and stone-throwers. The troops shot and wounded three Palestinians.
Jewish merchants in the old part of Acre complained Thursday that the windows of their businesses were smeared with dirt and drawings of the Palestinian flag.
Some reported anonymous telephone threats demanding they leave the old city. One Arab has been detained on suspicion.
Once peaceful relations between Jews and Arabs plummeted following the brutal beating of a Jewish businessman earlier this month.
Police reacted forcefully, and several Arabs were arrested.
Riot squads were deployed in the city, which angered the Arab residents, who felt the police reaction was disproportionate.
The Arabs held a general strike in protest last week, while Jewish and Arab leaders called for mutual restraint.
Israeli authorities say the problems in Acre are isolated.
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