Killer gunman's home destroyed

Israeli troops today blew up the home of an Islamic Jihad gunman who killed two people, including a seven-month-old baby, in an attack on a West Bank settlement.

Soldiers arrived at the a village near Hebron and destroyed the home of Mahmoud Hamdan, 22, the army said.

Hamdan infiltrated the Jewish settlement of Negohot late on Friday, knocking on the door of a trailer where a family was enjoying a holiday dinner, residents said.

One of the guests, a 27-year-old Jewish seminary student, opened the door and was shot in the chest. Then Hamdan entered the house and began shooting randomly, killing the seven-month-old baby girl.

Hamdan failed to escape and was killed by soldiers guarding the settlement.

Israel routinely demolishes the homes of gunmen and suicide bombers in an attempt to deter Palestinians from attacking Israelis. Palestinians condemn the policy as collective punishment and a violation of international law.