World News 11-10-2000 Palestinian Boy Shot Dead By Israeli Soldiers who: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan what: Remains optimistic for peace despite death of boy where: GAZA when: Yesterday snippet: "A boy of nine was critically injured yesterday when he was shot in the head by Israeli troops," reports The Mirror after the twelfth day of violence in the West Bank and Gaza in which 90 people have died. "With his schoolbag still on his back," the report continues, "Sami Abu Jazar was carried to an ambulance after soldiers opened fire with live bullets on a dozen Palestinian boys." "Doctors at Shifa hospital in Gaza City said his skull had been penetrated by a bullet when troops opened fire on dozens of boys pelting them with stones," says The Indepednent`s Eric Silver. He was declared clinically dead by doctors. His death follows the fatal shootings of Muhammad al-Durra, aged 12 and Muhammad A`asi, aged 13, in the last two weeks. Meanwhile, Prime minister Ehud Barak has agreed to further peace talks to be led by the United States after world powers rallied round to prevent all-out war between the two states, sparked by a row over the sovereignty of a holy shrine in Jerusalem. "I think we can rein in the situation," said an optimistic UN Secretary General Kofi Annan yesterday, quoted in The Express. "I think we have a window of opportunity to do it. It is not going to remain open forever." "It takes two to tango," he continued. "Neither side can claim to have all the right on their side or all the wrong on their side." But the Middle East peace process will never be the same again, comments The Times today in its leader. The prospect of peace depends on Israel giving up some of its territory in return for peace. But as a year of "tragically missed opportunities" reaches its bloody end, that prospect seems increasingly unlikely. [... more]

What The Papers Say is delivered to thousands of readers every morning by web, WAP and email. Sign up today!