Palestinian killed in clash with Israeli soldiers

An armed Palestinian was killed early Sunday in a clash with Israeli troops in the northern West Bank, the army spokesman said.

Palestinians did not immediately comment on the incident. The troops were conducting a routine patrol north of the city of Jenin when they spotted three armed men nearby, the army said. The soldiers shot toward the three Palestinians and, in an ensuing exchange of fire, one of the militants was killed, the army said.

The troops found an M-16 weapon on the dead man, who was later taken from the area by Palestinian rescue workers. Shooting incidents in the northern West Bank have increased in the past two weeks, the army said.

Israel completed a withdrawal from four Jewish settlements in the northern West Bank last month. The pullout included a complete evacuation of the Gaza Strip, AP reports.

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