RAMALLAH, West Bank, Jan 26 (AFP) - At least one Palestinian militant was shot dead Wednesday by undercover Israeli troops operating in the northern West Bank town of Qalqilya, Palestinian and Israeli security sources said.
Palestinian sources said three men were killed while sitting in their car by a group of undercover Israelis dressed as Palestinians.
Their identities were not immediately known, but all three belonged to the radical Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, allied to the mainstream Fatah movement.
Medical sources said a 14-year-old boy, also wounded in the raid, was being treated for gunshot wounds in Qalqilya hospital.
An Israeli military source, however, said only one Palestinian had been killed and two wounded in an operation to arrest wanted militants in the city.
Troops shot and killed one Palestinian who tried to flee, while another two opened fire towards the troops and were wounded when the soldiers returned fire, the source said. They were taken into custody.
The confirmed killing put the toll since the September 2000 start of the Palestinian intifada at 4,719, including 3,664 Palestinians and 981 Israelis.
Following an agreement between Israeli and Palestinian officials, Palestinian troops are expected to take control of five West Bank towns and cities, including Qalqilya, within 10 days, a Palestinian official said.
01/26/2005 14:42 GMT - AFP