Youths injured in West Bank clash

Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers have clashed in the divided West Bank city of Hebron.

Reports say that dozens of Palestinian youths threw stones at Israeli soldiers along the line separating the Israeli enclave from the rest of Hebron, which is controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

The soldiers responded with rubber-coated bullets, slightly injuring at least four demonstrators.

One report says the clash began when an argument broke out between members of the Palestinian police and members of the Palestinian Preventative Security Forces.

Palestinian police later helped the Israeli troops hold back the Palestinian protesters.

The clashes came one day after the Palestinian National Authority warned that the peace process was being brought "to the brink of explosion" by Israel. Palestinians say Israeli hardliners' intention to expand the West Bank Jewish settlements are holding the peace process hostage.

Palestinians also accuse the US envoy Dennis Ross of siding with Israel.

Mr Ross met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders last week. His mission ended with Israel dismissing earlier pledges to Palestinians on West Bank troop withdrawals and announcing new settlement building plans.

Israel handed over 80% of the West Bank town to the Palestinians about a year ago, leaving soldiers to guard some 400 Jewish settlers who live alongside more than 100,000 Arabs.