Israeli soldiers killed a suspected militant on Friday in an exchange of fire with gunmen they had come to arrest in a raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, Palestinian security officials said.

The troops fired four missiles at a four-story apartment building where the gunmen -- defying a call over loudspeakers to surrender -- were holed up, damaging two floors of the structure after residents fled.

The body of a suspected militant was removed from the scene, the officials said.

An Israeli military source said: "Israeli forces entered Nablus on a routine operation to make a number of arrests. During the operation they encountered Palestinian gunmen and there were exchanges of fire."

Israel has stepped up sweeps for militants in West Bank cities since the collapse last month of a cease-fire underpinning a U.S.-backed Middle East peace plan.

Close

Today's Top News		Top International News
+HK withdraws National Security Bill ( 2003-09-05) +Official: No signs of major earthquakes ( 2003-09-05) +High alert stressed against influenza ( 2003-09-05) +China urges US to honour its word on Tibet ( 2003-09-05) +Road map to easy ride in Beijing ( 2003-09-05)		+Israeli troops kill Palestinian in West Bank clash ( 2003-09-05) +Bermuda set for worst hurricane in years ( 2003-09-05) +Billionare turns his sights outside Russia ( 2003-09-05) +UN reaction to US Iraq proposal varies ( 2003-09-05) +Bomb blasts rattle central Athens, one hurt ( 2003-09-05)