World Notes MIDDLE EAST

The troubles began when an Israeli man was stabbed to death by terrorists in downtown Gaza. After an Israeli truck then crashed into two carloads of Arab workers, killing four, refugees near the Jabaliya district hurled bottles and stones at military patrols, burned tires and closed down schools and shops. During the two days of rioting, soldiers killed two Arab youths.

Later in the week, Gaza's frustration ignited passions about 50 miles away in the West Bank town of Nablus. An angry crowd of nearly 3,000 in the Balata refugee camp threw stones at Israeli border police. A barrage of rubber bullets failed to stop the mob, composed largely of women and youths. The Israelis, who claimed many of the women were wielding knives or sticks, turned to tear gas and real bullets. Four protesters were killed and at least 30 wounded. Demonstrators battled troops for more than five hours. As fiery Arab protests raged through the territories, the Israelis were afraid that the violence was sparked not simply by a few rabble-rousers but by a widespread despair that will not soon fade away. Said a border police patrol leader: "It's not just terrorists. They've got no leader here."