Gaza calm as Israel braces for Palestinian youth's funeral
 

* Rocket fire tapers off under Egyptian mediation * Protests expected at burial of slain Palestinian By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA, July 4 (Reuters) - Shelling across the Gaza Strip's border tapered off on Friday while Israel braced for violent protests by Palestinians in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank at the funeral of a youth they believe was killed by far-right Jews. Hostility that had simmered since three Israeli teenagers were abducted on June 12, triggering army sweeps of the West Bank, boiled over this week upon the discovery of their bodies and the Palestinian's slaying after they were laid to rest. Surging short-range rocket salvoes from Gaza had drawn Israeli air strikes as well as a mobilisation of ground forces which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday threatened to use unless the enclave's dominant Hamas Islamists held fire. Israel said three rockets were launched at it on Friday, one of which was intercepted by its Iron Dome interceptor.

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