Israeli Troops Kill Tulkarim Hamas Leader

17/01/2006| IslamWeb

Israeli troops have killed a senior Palestinian fighter during an exchange of fire in the occupied West Bank.

Witnesses said soldiers surrounded a hideout used by Thabit
Ayyada, 24, leader of Hamas's military wing in Tulkarim, and shot him dead in the ensuing clash on Tuesday.

His death brings to 4933 the total toll since the start of the Palestinian uprising in September 2000.

The vast majority of the dead have been Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Israeli military arrested eight Palestinians in the West Bank overnight.

Rifat Nasif, the group's political leader in Tulkarim, accused Israel of seeking to provoke bloodshed, and hinted at retaliation.

He said: "This crime was committed while Hamas is abiding by the state of calm. The aim is to torpedo the calm. We won't remain silent."

PHOTO CAPTION

Palestinian youths throw stones at Israeli army armoured vehicles during clashes in the West Bank city of Jenin December 21, 2005. (REUTERS)