IDF kills at least 2 Palestinians in West Bank

Men killed in two separate incidents, near Jenin and Nablus. Palestinians claim one of those killed was unarmed civilian; IDF: We fired at gunmen

Ali Waked |Published: 10.27.06 , 08:33

Palestinian sources in the Jenin and Nablus areas reported Friday that three Palestinians have been killed by IDF fire in the villages of al-Yamun and al-Faraa during the night.

The army confirmed soldiers have been involved in incidents in the two villages, but said that two Palestinians were shot to death.

According to the Palestinians, fire exchanges erupted between local gunmen at the village of al-Yamun near Jenin after a large military force entered the place at about 3 a.m.

The sources said that in the course of the gunfight, soldiers shot a Palestinian who was standing on the rooftop of his house. When his brother came out to check on his condition, he was shot and injured by the troops. Another brother, Ahmad Abu Hassan, then rushed out of the house to call for help, and witnesses reported that he was also fired at, hit and died on the spot.

The witnesses claimed that the man was an unarmed civilian. According to reports, that force had left the village on Friday morning.

According to the IDF, an army force identified several gunmen during military activity in the village and fired them, killing one gunman and injuring two others.

Meanwhile, sources in the village of al-Faraa near Nablus reported of another incident in which two Palestinians were shot to death by the army. The men's identity has not been established yet, and the report has not been confirmed by the Palestinian security forces.

According to the IDF, a haredi Nahal force that was operating in the area spotted a group of armed Palestinians moving at its direction with the intent to attack, and opened fire toward them. One of the men was killed, and another one – who was found to be carrying an axe, sustained light injuries. The gunman was treated on the scene and evacuated to an Israeli hospital, where he will be treated and them transferred for investigation.

The IDF said that no soldier was wounded in the course of the operations in the West Bank Thursday night. Officials added that four wanted Palestinians were arrested by the army during the night.