An Israeli occupation soldier and a senior Hamas leader were killed in a shootout in a West Bank village Tuesday, military officials said. The Hamas leader, Ali Alian, fired at occupation troops as they searched his hideout, killing one soldier and injuring another, the officials said. Occupation troops killed Alian in return fire.

The exchange of fire took place during an arrest raid in the village of Marah Rabah near the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Alian was responsible for two recent resistance bombings, including one March 5 in Haifa in which 16 Israelis and one American was killed, the military officials said.

PHOTO CAPTION

Palestinian mourners carry the body and a portrait of Wael Barhoom, 25, during his funeral in central Gaza Strip March 18. 2003. Wael Barhoom was killed on Monday at the cemetery of Khan Younis in front of the Jewish settlement of Neve Dekalim while attending a funeral, witnesses said. British Prime Minister Tony Blair expects Washington to publish the so-called 'roadmap' for Middle East peace as soon as Tuesday. Photo by Jose Manuel Ribeiro/Reuters