Israelis Kill Four Palestinians in Fierce Battle in West Bank

Israeli soldiers killed at least four Palestinian militants in gun battles here early today, Palestinian witnesses and an Israeli military spokeswoman said.

The military said one man ran toward troops with an explosive device and was shot. In a separate incident, three masked men shot at soldiers from a roof and were killed by return fire, the spokeswoman said.

Palestinian witnesses said four people died in the second incident.

Israeli troops have been operating in Nablus’ ancient casbah and a nearby refugee camp in recent days after receiving information that militants were planning bombings, a commander told Army Radio. Today’s fighting was some of the fiercest in weeks in the West Bank.