Doctors disagree on what killed Palestinian official

Pallbearers in military attire carried the Palestinian-flag draped coffin of Ziad Abu Ain at his funeral Thursday, a day after the Palestinian Cabinet member died in a scuffle with Israeli border police.

Thousands joined the funeral procession, which began at the presidential headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah and was accompanied by the sound of drums, bagpipes and occasional gunfire, Reuters reported.

A day after his death, disagreements between Israeli and Palestinian pathologists remain over what killed Abu Ain, 55.

Following a joint autopsy, a Palestinian doctor concluded he died as a result of a blow to his body while an Israeli doctor said his death was caused by the blockage of a coronary artery.

Abu Ain died shortly after a confrontation between Palestinian protesters and Israeli border police in the West Bank on Wednesday. At one point, an Israeli officer grabbed Abu Ain by the throat, the Associated Press reported. Troops also fired tear gas.

Earlier Thursday another Palestinian Cabinet member said Abu Ain died as a result of tear gas inhalation and beatings allegedly sustained the confrontation. Hussein Sheikh, the Palestinian minister of civil affairs, told Voice of Palestine radio that delays in getting Abu Ain to the hospital also contributed to his death.

The developments came as Israeli paramilitary border police clashed Thursday morning with 60 to 100 rock-throwing Palestinians in the West bank city of Hebron, the Israeli military said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests.

Israel reinforced its forces in Ramallah with two battalions of soldiers and two companies of border police ahead of the funeral.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Abu Ain the victim of a "clear crime" and a "barbaric act." He decreed three days of mourning for the minister, whose portfolio included organizing protests against Israeli settlements and the West Bank separation barrier.

Contributing: Associated Press