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Gunfire Erupts After More Clashes in Palestinian Territories

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JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: It has been a day of rage in the Palestinian territories, hundreds of Palestinians clashing with Israeli troops in a series of protests Friday. There was gunfire, and there was blood.

CNN's Mike Hanna reports.

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MIKE HANNA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A firefight erupts in the Gaza Strip. For the second time this week, Palestinian police and Israeli soldiers come in direct conflict. At least one Israeli soldier is wounded and a number of casualties on the Palestinian side. The violence followed a tense encounter at a Palestinian police checkpoint. Israeli soldiers apparently attempting to pass through were told to leave their weapons behind. Then a Palestinian officer is heard to say on the radio, "We are being occupied."

The exchange of fire occurred just hours after the Israeli prime minister demanded an end to the violence. Ehud Barak was visiting an Israeli army post near the West Bank town of Ramallah, where Palestinian police and Israeli soldiers exchanged fire on Monday.

EHUD BARAK, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: We demanded from the Palestinians to change it and to take all necessary steps to make it impossible to be -- that such events will be repeated.

HANNA: But shortly after Barak's visit, the demonstrators in Ramallah were again on the march. Palestinian police lined the roads in an apparent attempt to prevent the protesters from reaching a post manned by Israeli soldiers. But it soon becomes clear the attempt was truly a token one. The Israeli response is swift and predictable. Yet another of the confrontations that has become commonplace in recent days, as Palestinians continue to express their frustration on the ground with the lack of progress in the peace process.

(on camera): It's a delicate balancing act. The Palestinians believe mass demonstrations keep positive pressure on the peace process. But each outbreak of violence could provide an excuse for those Israelis intent on dragging their heels.

(voice-over): And events on this day a signal to some Israelis that while continuing to negotiate a peace, the Palestinian leadership is keeping open the option of violence. Mike Hanna, CNN, Ramallah.

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