Palestinian killed as Israeli army enters Nablus
A Palestinian teenager was killed today during an Israeli army operation in the West Bank city of Nablus, Palestinian doctors and witnesses said.
The army said troops opened fire on four Palestinian militants who were trying to plant a large roadside bomb. Three Palestinians were hit by the shots, the army said.
Palestinian medical officials said a 16-year-old boy was killed in the incident, and that a 10-year-old boy who was in a nearby house was moderately wounded in the chest. Residents said the dead teenager was not believed to be affiliated with any militant group.
Dr Ghassan Hamdan, a rescue worker, said troops fired in his direction when he arrived, apparently to prevent him from treating the wounded. The army did not immediately comment.
Palestinian residents said they heard a large explosion before the troops entered the city, which is known as a stronghold of militant groups.
An exchange of fire with the militants then erupted, witnesses said.
The army said the blast was apparently caused by a premature explosion of the device the militants were laying.
