Palestinian militant killed in West Bank arrest raid

Palestinian militant killed in West Bank arrest raid

A Palestinian militant was killed early Friday morning in a large Israeli overnight raid in this West Bank city, the army and Palestinian officials said.

Nablus was awoken to the sounds of gunfire as Israelis troops searched buildings in the old city, witnesses said.

Palestinian officials identified the dead man as Raed Tubela, 26, a militant in the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a group linked to President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party.

The army said its troops arrived in Nablus to arrest a Fatah activist and were immediately fired upon. The troops identified one of the armed men and fired back in his direction. He died later in a hospital, the army said.

Israeli troops frequently conduct arrest operations in Nablus, a center of militant activity, reports the AP.

I.L.