Palestinian officials say Israeli troops have shot dead two Palestinians in separate incidents in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian security officials say a fisherman was killed early Saturday when an Israeli navy vessel opened fire on a fishing boat off the coast of the Gaza Strip. Reuters news agency quotes the Israeli military as saying the boat had entered prohibited waters, ignored warning shots and orders to stop, then fired on the Israeli vessel, which shot back.
Palestinian authorities also say a teenage boy was killed late Friday trying to infiltrate Israel from Gaza. Two others with him were wounded.
On the political front, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas met with Pope Benedict XVI Saturday at the Vatican, capping a two-day visit to Italy. The two spoke privately for about 20 minutes.
Mr. Abbas invited the Pope to visit Jerusalem, considered the holy land by followers of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
.