Fierce clashes erupt as Israeli-Palestinian talks renew

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JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Fierce clashes erupted between Israelis and Palestinians on Friday despite the renewal of high-level direct talks overnight between the two sides.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, the new clashes broke out in Ayosh Junction in Ramallah and in the West Bank town of Hebron, where one Palestinian was killed.

Five Palestinians were wounded by rubber-coated steel bullets in Ramallah, and two were wounded in Hebron, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Two Palestinians were critically wounded by live ammunition in Khalil, near Hebron, the agency said.

Although clashes had subsided in recent days, Friday's outbreak of violence included a fierce gun battle in Hebron. Eyewitnesses reported that a Palestinian gunman shot at Israeli troops before being shot and killed in the divided town.

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The Israeli soldiers then rushed from their positions and dragged the body from the Palestinian side to the part of Hebron they control.

Both sides blame each other for the violence and its continuation.

Since September 28, when the latest round of violence in the 52-year-old conflict began, at least 392 people have been killed. The Red Crescent Society says that 336 of them were Palestinians, and the IDF says that 43 were Israeli Jews and 13 Israeli Arabs.

A spokesman for Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami, who participated in the overnight talks at Erez Crossing in Gaza, described them as good and said the atmosphere was positive.

Talks to resume Saturday

Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat and former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres were expected to attend talks planned for Saturday and Sunday. Afterwards, U.S. President Bill Clinton is expected to make a decision on whether last-ditch mediation effort on his part is warranted.

Neither side, however, is optimistic that an agreement is imminent, both because of time constraints and remaining differences.

Palestinian negotiator Ahmad Qorei, noting that "big differences" remain, said an agreement could be reached in one day if Israel modified its position on key issues.

"If there's good will on the Israeli side, I think we can do it, if they will come to say, 'Yes, we recognize the Palestinian rights and international legitimacy,'" Qorei said.

Peres expressed concern that time was running out for an agreement.

"What worries me above all is the lack of time. By next Sunday night, there will be a new president in the White House."

"What have we left -- eight days, including two weekends," he shrugged.

U.S. diplomat's trip pending

Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Dennis Ross's planned trip to the region remained on hold Friday, as officials from the Clinton administration waited for the security situation to improve.

"Steps have been taken in the last few days to improve the security situation," P.J. Crowley, spokesman for the National Security Council, said. "The tone has improved somewhat."

Security talks earlier this week brought about Israel's easing of some travel restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza on Thursday, including the removal of several barriers and roadblocks.

On Friday, Israel opened border crossings from Gaza into Egypt and from the West Bank into Jordan. Gaza's international airport was also partially reopened.

Restrictions remain, however, in other Palestinian towns. The Israelis say the closures will remain in effect until security cooperation is fully resumed with the Palestinian authority.

The Palestinians say they want all the restrictions lifted first.

, CNN Correspondent Jerrold Kessel Matthew Chance and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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