Palestinians, Israeli forces clash after funeral

Dozens of Palestinian youths clashed with Israeli forces in a Jerusalem suburb Saturday, the second day of violent confrontations in the holy city where tensions have been running high this week.     

Saturday's clash erupted after the funeral of a 23-year-old Palestinian who was shot dead the day before by Israeli forces.     

In Saturday's confrontation in the West Bank district of al-Ram abutting Jerusalem, dozens of Palestinian youths, some of them masked, hurled rocks and exploding firecrackers at troops.

They took cover behind barricades of overturned garbage containers and black plumes of smoke from burning tires.     

Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel pellets, protecting themselves with plastic masks and shields. Neither side reported injuries.     

Palestinian protesters prevented cars from entering the sprawling neighborhood, fearing some might carry undercover Israeli troops.

The youths also prepared fire bombs, but it wasn't clear if any were thrown at Israeli forces.     

The clashes came a day after Talat Ramia was shot and killed as he hurled exploding fireworks at Israeli forces in al-Ram.

Palestinian youths have recently began using exploding fireworks to rattle  and potentially injure  Israeli forces.

The hand-held brown cylinders make a hissing noise and emit a stream of sparks before they explode.     

An Israeli military spokesman could not immediately say if opening fire under such circumstances violated the army's rules of engagement.

He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing military regulations. The army said it is investigating the shooting.