Palestinian shot after cordon imposed

In renewed violence, at least three Palestinian youths have been shot dead by Israeli troops in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The deaths follow the decision by Israel to seal off Palestinian-controlled territory following the killing of four Israelis and four Palestinians on Monday.

The Israeli commander in the West Bank, General Yitzhak Eitan, said the closure would be more stringent than in the past, with only food and medicine permitted to enter.

The Israeli prime Minister, Ehud Barak, is to chair an emergency meeting of his security Cabinet on his return from the United States where he held talks with President Clinton. The BBC correspondent in Jerusalem says Israel's decision seems to seal the collapse of efforts to save the ceasefire agreement.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service