Israeli Troops Kill Hamas Leader in Nablus

14/11/2005| IslamWeb

Israeli occupation troops have shot dead a senior Hamas leader in a predawn raid on the West Bank town of Nablus.

More than a dozen explosions and several exchanges of fire were heard as soldiers in 15 jeeps raided an eastern part of Nablus and arrested several Palestinians early on Monday, witnesses said.

During the raid, troops killed Amjan al-Hinawi, 34, of Hamas, paramedics said. 

According to Aljazeera's correspondent in the area, al-Hinawi was a military official in Hamas's military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. 
One report cites witnesses as saying al-Hinawi had been shot in the head at close range. The circumstances were unclear.

Dogs used in raid

According to another report, troops surrounded the home of al-Hanawi, before ordering the Hamas leader's family out of the house.

The report adds that while most members came out of the house, al-Hanawi refused and tried to escape.

He was shot as he tried to climb a fence, the AP report adds.

The neighbours said that army dogs attacked several family members.

Hamas members drove through the streets of Nablus announcing al-Hinawi's death over loudspeakers. A funeral was planned later on Monday morning.

The army said it was investigating the reports.

But military officials confirmed there had been an arrest raid in Nablus overnight, and that one person opened fire on troops and tried to escape before being shot.

The unidentified officials did not identify the target of the raid.

Also on Monday, about 20 Israeli military vehicles raided Tulkarim city and refugee camp, in the northern West Bank and arrested two Palestinians, according to Aljazeera's correspondent.

Troops have also raided Jenin in the West Bank and surrounded a hostel where students of the Arab-American University are staying, the correspondent adds.

The raid came hours before US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Jerusalem and the West Bank in an effort to revive peace talks.

Israel has conducted similar raids on nearly a nightly basis since late last month.

Palestinians criticise the raids, saying they obstruct their efforts to restore order in the occupied territory to prepare the ground for peace talks under a US-backed road map plan.

PHOTO CAPTION

Israeli military vehicles block Palestinians waiting to cross a checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus. (AFP)