Three Palestinians shot dead
2006-05-14 17:37
Jenin - Three Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli troops on Sunday during clashes in the Jenin area of the northern West Bank, medics said.
One of the victims, Ali Jabarin, was shot dead while guarding the Palestinian Authority's local intelligence headquarters in Jenin.
An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed the death.
"Forces identified one gunman, they opened fire at him and apparently killed him," the spokesperson said.
Two brothers, at least one of whom was said to be a member of Islamic Jihad, were also shot dead in the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin.
Thair Hanaisha was shot by Israeli soldiers as they entered the town to arrest members of the radical group, witnesses said.
Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the last eight suicide attacks against Israel.
Hanaisha's brother, Mejahid, was shot and killed as he tried to help his dying brother.
Israeli soldiers subsequently surrounded a house in Qabatiya, thought to shelter a group of Islamic Jihad militants.
An Israeli military spokesperson would only say that there had been an exchange of fire, but had no information about casualties.
The deaths bring the overall toll since the September 2000 start of the Palestinian uprising to 5 050, according to an AFP count.