Harvard students reacted with shock, anger and sadness this weekend to an incident on Friday in which a Jewish doctor fired a gun into a West Bank mosque, killing 39 and wounding more than 350.

In the days following the massacre in Hebron, which proved the worst violence in the occupied territory in 27 years, popular horror still remains as national and local leaders try to assess the consequences of the tragedy on the future of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

"Obviously your sentiments are shocked when this happens, whether the [victims] are Muslim, Jewish or Christian," said Hashen E. Montasser '97, an Egyptian Muslim.

Elie G. Kaunfer '95, chair of the Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel, said news of the massacre interrupted a traditional meal Friday afternoon for Jewish students at the Hillel celebrating Purim, a Jewish holiday.

"Everyone in the room was incredibly upset, very angry, and just shocked at the actions of this crazy man in Hebron," said Kaunfer, who is senior editor of the Crimson.

Zainab Khan '96, a Muslim from Pakistan, said she was horrified and angry that a massacre could occur in a mosque during prayer, especially during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.

Khan had said prayers similar to those said by the slain Palestinians in the mosque of Memorial Church on Friday.

"During all the words and everything, I just kept thinking somebody could just come in here and start firing," Khan said.

Jewish, Muslim, Israeli and Palestinian students alike said the tragedy was a terrible example of one man's actions possibly jeopardizing the future of peace between two peoples. Some students said they were pessimistic about the peace in Israel after the incident.

"It certainly sets back the peace process, probably by years," said Kaunfer.

But others said the massacre has not changed any of the original objections they had with the peace-plan since its inception.

President of the Society of Arab Students Radi M. Annab '95 said the massacre would have little effect on peace, since the intrinsic plan doesn't adequately deal with the feeling of West Bank residents.

"It's one thing to have peace between leaders, but it's different having peace in the actual territories," said Annab, who is a Crimson editor. I hope it just becomes a more realistic peace, and more focused on the people, not just issues that look good on paper."

Many said the massacre underscores the essential difficulties that exist in the region and among peoples that have been warring for centuries.

"When Palestinians are killed, the Palestinians are put under curfew, but Israeli settlers aren't punished at all," said Masood A Razaq '96. "This is the first time Israeli settlements have been shut down."

Other students raised fears about the report inthe last two days by some Arabs that Israelisoldiers outside the mosque were slow to react tothe killing inside.