BBC - Palestinian boy killed in Bethlehem The boy was throwing stones at Israeli forces

A 13-year-old Palestinian boy has died after being shot by Israeli soldiers as more clashes break out on the West Bank.

The boy was shot following a demonstration by the radical group Hamas outside Bethlehem and died on the way to hospital.

This is the latest death in a tit-for-tat round of violence sparked by the killing of Hamas leader Mahmud Abu Hanoud on Friday by an Israeli helicopter gunship.

The renewed violence comes just a day before two United States envoys are due to arrive on a mission to secure a ceasefire and restart peace talks.

Hamas immediately threatened revenge for Mr Hanoud's death and on Saturday, an Israeli soldier was killed in a mortar attack in the Gaza strip.

Fighting broke out between stone-throwing youths and the Israel Defence Forces near the Jewish holy site, Rachel's Tomb.

The Israeli army said the boy was part of a demonstration trying to throw a Molotov cocktail at soldiers when they responded with gunfire.

Pregnant woman

In a separate incident, Palestinian officials say a pregnant woman was shot and injured in Rafah in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army says it is investigating the incident.

The violence comes after attacks by Israeli helicopters across the Gaza Strip.

A number of Palestinians were injured and buildings destroyed.

Palestinian security officials say buildings belonging to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fatah group were targeted by Israeli helicopters in the latest attack.

A third attack was reported against security positions near the Khan Younis refugee camp, in southern Gaza.

Funeral

On Saturday, a Palestinian mortar attack against the Jewish settlement of Kfar Darom in the Gaza Strip killed one Israeli and injured two others.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians turned out in the West Bank city of Jenin on Saturday for the funeral of Mr Hanoud.

Israel had accused him of involvement in suicide attacks on its citizens. Hamas vowed to avenge his death.

Nearly 1,000 people, the majority of them Palestinians, have been killed since the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation began in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in September 2000, shortly after peace talks stalled.

The Palestinians accuse Israel of assassinating more than 70 Palestinians since the uprising began last year.

Israel says its policy, widely condemned by its Western allies, is aimed at militants who plan or carry out attacks.

Palestinians say it has killed several political activists.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2001