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Israeli troops kill Palestinian in West Bank raid

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 July 2005, 13:24 CDT

JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli soldiers shot dead a teenage Palestinian stone-thrower on Wednesday during a West Bank raid in which they detained a wanted Islamic Jihad militant, local residents and medical officials said.

An Israeli military source said troops shot at gunmen who fired at them during the operation in the city of Jenin, a militant stronghold.

Medical officials said three Palestinians were wounded by Israeli gunfire and one of them, a 17-year-old, died later in hospital. Local residents said that along with dozens of other youngsters, he had been throwing rocks at the soldiers.

"A wanted Islamic Jihad terrorist was arrested in Jenin in a joint Israel Defense Forces and police operation," the army said in a statement.

"The force encircled the structure in which the wanted terrorist was hiding and called for him to exit. The terrorist exited the structure a short while later and surrendered," it said.

During the raid, Palestinian gunmen detonated three explosive devices and opened fire at the Israeli force several times, slightly wounding two soldiers, the statement added.

Two weeks ago, Islamic Jihad carried out a suicide bombing in central Israel that killed five Israelis. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said afterwards he ordered Israeli forces to wage a "relentless attack" against the group.

Islamic Jihad is sworn to Israel's destruction and has helped spearhead a 4-1/2-year-old Palestinian revolt. It has chafed at a truce declared by Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in February.

Source: REUTERS

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