The Israeli media on 26 and 27 December reported on the 26 December incident in which soldiers fired at a group of Israelis and foreigners protesting about the separation fence near the West Bank village of Masha, gravely wounding one and slightly wounding an American woman'

Israel radio reported at 1200 gmt on 27 December: "In Qalqilyah, about 1,000 Palestinians demonstrated against the separation fence in the vicinity of highway number six. Several dozen youths hurled rocks at IDF Israel Defence Forces soldiers, who responded by firing gas and shock grenades. No Israeli casualties were incurred. Our correspondent Gay Qotev cites Palestinian sources as saying that four Palestinian youths were slightly injured.

"MK Shimon Peres, the opposition leader, demands an independent inquiry into the 26 December IDF shooting at demonstrators near the security fence in Samaria northern West Bank . Meretz MK Avshalom Vilan says that he has checked the facts and learned that the gunfire had been ordered by a high-ranking officer. He demands that the chief of staff reveal the officer's name. Likud MK Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, will convene the committee to discuss the incident. It was announced last night that an IDF colonel has been appointed to probe the shooting.

"The condition of Gil Na'amati from Kibbutz Reim, who was wounded by the IDF gunfire, has stabilized but remains grave. The young American woman who was wounded has been discharged from hospital."

Channel Two TV at 1800 gmt on 26 December carrieed Hayim Rivlin's report over a video footage of the incident, in which protesters from a group identified as "anti-fence anarchists" were seen trying to cut and pull out the fence even as soldiers are firing at them.

Ynet web site reported at 1011 gmt: "The IDF published an order at midday, declaring the separation fence area in Qalqilyah a closed military zone in the wake of Jewish and Palestinian peace activists' plans to stage a demonstration at the site. The protesters arrived in the wake of the 26 December incident in which two demonstrators were shot by soldiers near Biddiya. Army and police troops have been sent in.

"Commenting on the Biddiya incident, Minister Uzi Landau said: 'The IDF troops should have our full backing, because by acting firmly against those collaborating with terrorism, the troops are defending the citizens of Israel.' He added that 'the fence was built to save State of Israel citizens' lives and anyone assailing it was abetting terrorism and facilitating suicide terrorists' attacks on us. Those who wish to voice a different opinion can find legitimate ways to do so.'"

Ynet updated at 1032 gmt: "Palestinian and Israeli sources report riots and disturbances as thousands of Palestinians were staging an anti-fence demonstration in Qalqilyah.

"Several tear gas casualties have been reported so far. The IDF and the police are directing water hoses at thousands of demonstrators. Some 100 peace activists came up to road-block No 422 but were not allowed to enter Qalqilyah."

Ynet added at 1159 gmt: "MK Jamal Zahaliqah from the National Democratic Alliance party claims to have been prevented by IDF soldiers from approaching Qalqilyah's southern roadblock as he was to join a rally protesting the separation fence. He charges that soldiers threatened to arrest him and adds: 'Those who call for destroying the fence are complying with the international law. The government of Israel is an international criminal.'"