Hamas activist shot dead in northern Gaza

A member of the Hamas movement was shot dead by Israeli troops today in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, Palestinian…

A member of the Hamas movement was shot dead by Israeli troops today in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun, Palestinian security sources said.

The 17-year-old was shot dead by troops operating in the area, but the exact circumstances of the shooting were not initially clear, they said.

Earlier, another Hamas member was killed in an explosion near the West Bank city of Nablus which fellow Palestinian militants blamed on Israel.

An Israeli military source said the army had no connection to the blast in the village of Zawata which killed Hamas military commander Amin Manzalawi(28).

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A source from Hamas said Israeli troops had killed him.

Residents of Zawata said troops had imposed a curfew in the village this morning. They said they heard gunshots followed by an explosion from the apartment building in which Mr Manzalawi was hiding.

Israel celebrated its 55th Independence Day today and has tightened a military blockade on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, amid warnings of attacks.

Next week Palestinians will mark their Naqba, or catastrophe, commemorating the loss of lands and forced dispersal when Israel was established.

Agencies