Missile hits car; Palestinians inside unhurt

RAMALLAH, West Bank (CNN) -- Two missiles were fired at a car belonging to members of Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement in downtown Ramallah Saturday afternoon, Palestinian sources told CNN.

The first missile missed the car, prompting those inside to jump out. The second missile hit the car, but there was no one inside.

Palestinians reported two civilians in the area of the car were wounded. One of those in the car, the Palestinians said, was a Force 17 activist wanted by Israel, Muhanad Abu-Halaweh. Force 17 is the elite guard unit charged with protecting Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.

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Meanwhile, on Friday, Israeli authorities reported a mortar attack against a Jewish settlement in Gaza. The official Palestinian News Agency WAFA had called for an end to armed attacks against Israelis the same day.

WAFA carried an editorial Friday by its political editor telling Palestinians to restrict their resistance to throwing stones.

"We paid a dear price of blood, but we have to admit that no matter how many casualties we may cause the Israelis we will not be able to win the war against them, and threatening the Europeans and the USA is a foolish step that will affect us negatively," the editorial said.

The editorial went on to say, "Only by political means we shall be able to achieve our goals, by the use of rocks to fight the Israelis, on the roadblocks and in the settlements, not inside Israel, and not using firearms."

As the official news agency of the Palestinians, WAFA often reflects the thinking of the Palestinian Authority leadership.

Also on Friday, Israeli authorities said two mortar bombs fell inside the Jewish settlement of Kfar Darom in Gaza, lightly injuring an adult and a boy.

The mortar attack came after Israel deployed thousands of police officers in Jerusalem as about 10,000 Muslims went to Friday prayers at an Old City holy site sacred to both Jews and Arabs.

The police buildup at the Al Aqsa Mosque was prompted by a week of escalating violence and vows by Palestinians to avenge an Israeli missile strike Tuesday that killed a senior Islamic militant.

The spot -- known to Jews as Temple Mount and to Arabs as the Noble Sanctuary -- is where the current Palestinian intifada began 10 months ago.

No major incidents were reported. Checkpoints and helicopters kept order. All Palestinian men from the West Bank and those under the age of 40 from Gaza were prevented from praying at the site. Women of all ages were allowed. Two firebombs were found and disposed of at the Damascus Gate to the Old City.