Two more Palestinians killed by Israeli army in Gaza

Two Palestinians died after being shot by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip on Friday, the enclave's health ministry said, the latest such incidents in more than two weeks of clashes and attacks.

Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP that Abdul Qadir Farhat, 19, died “after he was shot directly in the head by the military in clashes close to the Beit Hanoun [Erez] crossing” in northern Gaza.

Mahmud Homaida, 22, was confirmed dead later in the day in clashes along the border.

The health ministry reported 98 others wounded, including those shot or exposed to tear gas.

The deaths brought to 36 the number of Palestinians killed, including alleged attackers, since an upsurge in violence began at the start of the month.

The latest shooting comes after Palestinians torched a site revered by Jews in the West Bank overnight, Israeli and Palestinian sources said Friday, amid calls for fresh protests.

A video showed what looked like an extensive blaze at the site in the northern city of Nablus known as Joseph's Tomb, and the Israeli army called the attack "a despicable act" of desecration.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the torching on Friday, calling the arson attack irresponsible.

Abbas also said a committee was being formed to investigate.

'Burning and desecration'

Joseph's Tomb, inside a compound in the Palestinian refugee camp of Balata in Nablus, has been the scene of recurring violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Many Jews believe it to be the final resting place of the biblical Joseph, while Muslims believe that an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Yussef [Joseph] Dawiqat was buried there two centuries ago.

The shrine is under Palestinian control and off-limits to Israelis except on escorted trips organised by the army.

The military said it would make the repairs necessary to allow visits to continue.

"The burning and desecration of Joseph's tomb last night is a blatant violation and contradiction of the basic value of freedom of worship," spokesman Peter Lerner said.

"The Israel Defence Forces will take all measures to bring the perpetrators of this despicable act to justice, restore the site to its previous condition and ensure that the freedom of worship returns to Joseph's Tomb."

'Friday of Revolution'

Police forces will act with determination and without compromise against any attempt to disturb order or public safety - Police statement

Palestinians called for a "Friday of revolution" against Israel and Jerusalem police barred men under 40 years of age from attending the main weekly prayers at the flashpoint al-Aqsa mosque, seeking to keep young protesters away.

Israeli security forces have deployed massively in Jerusalem after two weeks of Palestinian attacks in the city and across Israel.

"Police and border police forces will act with determination and without compromise against any attempt to disturb order or public safety," a police statement said late on Thursday.

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting at Jordan's request on Friday to discuss the upsurge of violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Thursday reiterated his willingness to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, while accusing him of inciting and encouraging violence.

"It's time that president Abbas stops not only justifying it, but also calling for it," Netanyahu told reporters.

US Secretary of State John Kerry also warned the Palestinian leader not to incite violence.

"President Abbas has been committed to non-violence. He needs to be condemning this, loudly and clearly," said Kerry, who plans to travel to the region "in the coming days" to try to calm tempers.

Abbas has called for peaceful protest, but frustrated Palestinian youths have defied attempts to restore calm.

Israel is to deploy some 300 soldiers from Sunday to reinforce police stretched thin by the unrest.

The last time soldiers deployed in such large numbers was in 2002, during the second intifada, according to a security source.