Protests held in Gaza, W Bank over prisoners release and fence

By: Ahmad Hammadi

ANIN, West Bank: Israeli army on Monday fired bullets to disperse protestors who were protesting against Israel's construction of a security fence in the West Bank.

The incident, which left several people including an American injured, happened as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon began a visit to the United States to hold talks with President Bush.

According to witnesses the protesters that include Israelis, Palestinians and foreigners surged toward the fence and tried to tear down a gate near the northern West Bank village of Anin.

Meanwhile, thousands of people in the Gaza Strip staged a protest march on Monday to demand the release of all Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

Separately, Sharon hopes the decision by his government Sunday to release 540 Palestinian prisoners will help his US trip go smoothly, but Palestinian officials have dismissed the move as a stunt aimed at pleasing Washington.

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