Settlers shoot Palestinian girl dead after funeral

JEWISH settlers shot dead a Palestinian girl during a rampage in the West Bank city of Hebron yesterday after the funeral of an Israeli soldier killed in a roadside ambush, Palestinian witnesses said.

Palestinian medical sources said nine Palestinians were wounded by gunfire. The violence flared as the United States said it planned talks with Palestinian officials on security reforms and Israel pledged to ease hardships on Palestinians in the West Bank.

Palestinian witnesses said about 100 settlers attacked Palestinian houses in the Old City and eastern Hebron, setting fires, breaking doors and windows, and firing at houses.