Three Palestinians killed in West Bank raids

Three Palestinians have been killed today in Israeli army raids in the northern West Bank, medics and relatives said.

In the refugee camp of Al Faraa, Saadi Subuh, 23, and Mustafa Abu Zalat, 17, were shot and killed, their relatives and medics said.

The circumstances of shooting were not clear, but Abu Zalat’s uncle said his nephew might have been throwing stones at army vehicles at the time.

The army said it opened fire on Palestinians who approached a force with a handgun and an axe. It said the gunman was killed, and the man with the axe was wounded in the leg and taken to an Israeli hospital for treatment.

In the village of Yamoun, Ahmed Abul Hassan, 28, was shot and killed while he stood on the roof of his home. Relatives said he had gone up there to watch the army raid and was hit by a bullet to the head.

Two of Abul Hassan’s brothers were wounded, the family said.

The army said it had opened fire on a group of armed Palestinians, hitting at least two.