JERUSALEM, Oct. 3, 00 (CWNews.com) - The death toll from fighting between Israeli security forces and Palestinian rioters rose to 55 on Tuesday, although the four killed today was the lowest since fighting began last week.
Palestinians gunmen battled with Israeli soldiers at army outposts in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, defying a cease-fire call as the US attempted to salvage the Middle East peace process. Overall, at least 1,300 people have been wounded in addition to the 55 killed. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak called on Israeli security forces «to make a supreme effort to prevent further casualties.»
Violence erupted last Thursday after Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited the al-Aqsa mosque compound at the Temple Mount, a site holy to both Jews and Muslims.
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was to meet Barak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Paris on Wednesday to try to end the bloodshed.
Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs