Israeli forces wound 2 Palestinians on Gaza border

GAZA, Dec 7 (Reuters) Israeli troops shot and wounded two Palestinians on the Gaza border today, medical officials said, the second time Israeli forces have opened fire since a truce took effect along the strip last month.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said a number of Palestinians approached the Israeli-built border fence near the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya and began to sabotage it. Soldiers fired warning shots that were ignored, she said.

''The force fired at one Palestinian and hit him in the leg,'' the spokeswoman said. The army said it was unaware of a second man being hit.

Palestinian hospital officials said two brothers had been wounded, although it was unclear if it was from the same shooting.

Residents said the men were collecting scrap metal.

Israeli soldiers wounded two Palestinians who approached the fence yesterday. The army said they were acting suspiciously.

Palestinian ambulance workers said they were unarmed.

Since the Gaza ceasefire was declared on November 26 in the wake of a crushing five-month-old Israeli army offensive in the impoverished coastal strip, militants have launched some 20 rockets at southern Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has pledged to show restraint for the time being.

Groups behind the rocket attacks said they considered recent Israeli raids against militants in the occupied West Bank, where there is no truce, as violations of the truce.

The international community hopes the shaky ceasefire can lead to peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Peace talks foundered in 2000, just before the start of a Palestinian uprising.

REUTERS PDM KN1511