“Israeli” force kills W. Bank Palestinian shopkeeper

Source: Reuters, 2-6-2007
NABLUS, West Bank - "Israeli" undercover forces killed a Palestinian shopkeeper and wounded his brother on Saturday during an apparent attempt to shoot two gunmen in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian security officials said.
The soldiers, disguised as Palestinians, opened fire from a building overlooking a meat and vegetable shop in the centre of the town of Nablus when the two militants appeared, but hit the two civilians instead, the officials claimed.
An "Israeli" military spokeswoman claimed "Israeli" forces shot at a gunman armed with an assault rifle and reported hitting him.
Hours earlier, the "Israeli" army blew up several barriers that Palestinians had placed in Nablus to prevent "Israeli" vehicles (Palestinians cover behind from "Israeli" snipers' bullets) from driving through the streets, witnesses said.
Nihad Masri, the acting mayor of Nablus, said a few people sustained minor injuries from the blasts in the old city.
Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouthi said the army`s action in blowing up the barriers was "a new crime coming in the context of `Israeli` escalation against the
Palestinian Authority and people."
An "Israeli" military spokeswoman claimed troops had found three explosives laboratories in Nablus this year along with numerous explosive belts being prepared for suicide bombers.
"Israeli"-Palestinian violence has surged in recent weeks with rocket attacks from the
Gaza Strip and "Israeli" strikes against militants in the territory.
In the Gaza Strip, "Israeli" soldiers shot and wounded two Palestinians near the border fence with "Israel", local medical officials said.
The army spokeswoman claimed soldiers opened fire after the men ignored shouted orders to stop and warning shots.
On Friday, "Israeli" troops killed two Palestinian children in the northern Gaza Strip close to the frontier with "Israel".