Six dead as Israel targets suspected terrorists
Six people are dead after Israeli troops launched several strikes against Palestinian terrorist suspects.
Ziad Daas, a local leader of the Al Aqsa militia in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, is thought to be among them.
Mr Daas was wanted by Israel for alleged involvement in the execution-style killing of two restaurant owners in Tulkarem in December 2000.
Security sources say he was also was responsible for a shooting attack on a Hadera banquet hall in January that killed six people.
Witnesses say Israeli commandos, backed by jeeps, armoured vehicles and helicopters, surrounded Mr Daas' hideout and gunmen opened fire from inside the building.
Witnesses say Mr Daas was on the roof when he was shot by a sniper.
Three other people died, including one at an Israeli hospital, Israeli security sources said. An army spokesman said 16 suspected terrorists were arrested in the operation.
In the Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis, a 26-year-old Hamas member, Hussam Hamdan, was allegedly killed by a shot to the chest while he was sitting on the roof of his house.
Dozens of Hamas supporters gathered outside the hospital where Mr Hamdan's body was taken and shouted "revenge, revenge."
