Israeli military forces kill top Islamic Jihad militant in fire-fight

Israeli troops killed two Islamic Jihad militants, including the group's top leader in the West Bank, during a shootout that erupted during an arrest raid, according to the army and Palestinian officials. The army said the troops surrounded a house in a village outside Jenin when gunfire broke out.

Among the dead was Nidal Abu Saada, Islamic Jihad's West Bank leader, said members of the violent group.

Israeli military officials confirmed Abu Saada was one of the most senior targets in the northern West Bank, a stronghold of Palestinian militants.

Islamic Jihad, a radical Palestinian group, has carried out a series of suicide bombings over the past year, despite an informal truce with Israel. The army has arrested dozens of militants in response to the attacks, reports the AP.

D.M.