Two killed in Israeli West Bank raid
Israeli troops conducting an arrest raid in the northern West Bank opened fire at a crowd of Palestinian rioters tonight, killing two people and wounding more than 30 others, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials.
The crowd of some 200 rioters confronted the soldiers shortly after they arrived in the town of Qalqiliya and surrounded a home where a wanted Hamas militant was believed to be inside.
The Israeli army said the crowd attacked the soldiers with rocks and firebombs, and the soldiers responded with warning shots and live fire.
A firefight with Palestinian gunmen followed. The army said two rioters were killed and 11 wounded.
Palestinian hospital officials said more than 30 people were wounded, including three who were in a critical condition.
Palestinian witnesses said larger numbers of troops were moving into Qalqiliya as the operation continued.
The Israeli army declined to give details on the target of the raid because the operation was ongoing. There were no reports of Israeli casualties.
