Israeli troops kill Palestinian in Gaza

Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian who approached the fence of a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip, the military said today.

Two suspicious figures were spotted near the Netzarim settlement overnight, and soldiers opened fire on them.

This morning, the body of one Palestinian was found about 70 yards from the fence. He was armed with a knife, the military said.

Armed Palestinians have repeatedly infiltrated Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, attacking settlers and soldiers whom they view as legitimate targets in their struggle for independence.

Meanwhile in the West Bank town of Tulkarem today, troops arrested Maslama Thabet, a member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a militia linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s Fatah organisation, sources said.