2 Palestinian Teens Killed by Israeli Gunfire

JERUSALEM — Two Palestinian teen-agers were killed by Israeli gunfire today in the occupied West Bank, including a 13-year-old girl believed to have been shot by a Jewish settler as she stood in her doorway.

In the Gaza Strip, two more Arabs were reported to have been buried alive by Israeli soldiers on a beach near the town of Khan Yunis last week, said Israeli lawyer Felicia Langer.

It was the second alleged case of live burial by soldiers. Earlier this month, four Arabs from the West Bank village of Kfar Salem said soldiers used a bulldozer to bury them in mud and sand. They were rescued by local residents.

The army arrested two soldiers in that incident and said more would be detained. The Jerusalem Post reported today that a third soldier who operated the bulldozer has been arrested.

Filled Mouth With Sand

In a sworn affidavit on the latest incident, 18-year-old Abdel Ali Massoud said about 14 soldiers buried him and another Arab youth in sand covering their heads at a beach just west of Khan Yunis.

“They tied me to a jeep and dragged me while driving fast. Afterward they beat me again and buried me in the sand, filling my mouth with sand also,” said the affidavit.

Langer, a left-wing activist who frequently represents Palestinians, said she intends to bring the case before the Israeli Supreme Court.

The military police said the reports are being investigated.

The deaths of two Palestinians today brought to 63 the number of Palestinians that Israelis have killed, mostly with gunfire, since anti-occupation unrest began Dec. 8.

Civilian Arrested

Police arrested an Israeli civilian in connection with the shooting death of Rawda Najeeb, 13, an army spokesman said. He refused to release the settler’s name or give other details.

Najeeb was shot while standing in the doorway of her home in the West Bank village of Baqa Sharqiyah, about 15 miles north of Tulkharem, Israel radio and the Arab-owned Palestine Press Service said.

The Press Service said villagers there blocked roads with twisted metal and burning tires overnight after a demonstration.

Israeli soldiers shot and killed a second Palestinian youth early today during a clash with Arabs in the nearby village of Yamoun, the army said. It said the Arabs hurled flaming Molotov cocktails, rocks and broken glass at troops, injuring two soldiers.