Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has criticized Israel for expanding West Bank settlements and for blocking his plan to put armed policemen on the streets.

Qurei said he appealed to US for "a firm and clear position" from Washington against Israeli settlement activity and for allowing armed police to patrol Palestinian towns and cities.

Previously, Israeli government approved to expand 600 houses in a Jewish settlement near Jerusalem.

In another development, three Palestinians were killed and 27 more injured on Wednesday by Israeli troops' gunfire in the northern Gaza Strip.

Earlier Wednesday two more Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers. One Palestinian was killed in Rafah refugee camp and the other was killed in the northern West Bank town of Nablus.

(CRI August 5, 2004)