Palestinians killed in West Bank raid

Israeli troops raided the West Bank village of Nur el-Shams today, killing two Palestinians militants, the army said.

In the city of Nablus, troops shot and killed an 18-year-old Palestinian as he stood on the roof of his house, witnesses said. The military said he was armed.

In Nur el-Shams, troops surrounded a house belonging to militants from the Islamic Jihad. One militant surrendered and was arrested, the army said.

Two other men refused to surrender and a gunbattle started between the militants and troops in which the two gunmen were killed.

The army said they later found three assault rifles in the house.

Witnesses identified the two men as Wahil Rabah and Said Mousai.

Israeli warplanes also struck suspected guerrilla positions in southern Lebanon today after rocket and artillery exchanges across the border in the disputed Chebaa Farms area, Lebanese security officials said.

Less than two hours after cross-border firing at dawn, two Israeli jets fired six missiles at guerrilla-controlled hills just inside the Lebanese border, the officials said.

Lebanese radio stations reported seven Israeli soldiers had been wounded in the clashes. Al Manar Television of the Hezbollah guerrilla group said “a number of Israeli commandos were killed and wounded.”

In Jerusalem, the Israeli military had no immediate comment on casualties.