Last update - 00:00 17/04/2007
IDF kills Palestinian militant; four Israelis wounded in West Bank
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent and The Associated Press
Israel Defense Forces troops shot and killed a Palestinian militant Tuesday near the West Bank city of Jenin, the IDF and Palestinian security officials said.
Ahmed Hanaishe, a militant from the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, was traveling between Jenin and the town of Qabatiya when his car was blocked by another vehicle and undercover troops inside shot at him, Palestinian security and witnesses said.
Another occupant of Hanaishe's car was injured and he was arrested by the force, along with another passenger, the security official said.
The IDF said that undercover troops were trying to arrest Hanaishe and shot him when he pulled a gun. Hanaishe belongs to the Islamic Jihad militant group, the army said. Only Hanaishe was hit and four others who were in the vehicle with him were taken for questioning, the army said.
In a separate incident Tuesday, four Israelis were shot and wounded as they were driving near a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, the army said.
The shooting occurred near the settlement of Naaleh, north of Modi'in. One of the Israelis was seriously injured and three lightly, the army said.
Initial investigations showed that a passing Palestinian vehicle shot at an Israeli car. The driver of the Israeli car continued to drive until the entrance to the Naaleh settlement, where he called for aid from security forces in the area.
The driver of the Israeli car was injured in his shoulder, and three other women in the car with him were lightly wounded from shrapnel. All of the wounded were taken to Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer for medical treatment.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that security forces were searching for the car, which fled the scene.