A Palestinian fighter and an Israeli soldier were killed in a shootout early today during an Israeli Army raid on a Palestinian village near the West Bank town of Tulkarem.
The Israelis yesterday re-entered Tulkarem over the weekend for the first time since returning it to Palestinian control in March.
Palestinian officials condemned yesterday's incursion as a violation of agreements between the two sides. Today's shooting took place in the nearby village of Seideh.
Israel pledged to turn over five West Bank towns to Palestinian security control as part of a Feb. 8 cease-fire agreement, but only Tulkarem and Jericho have actually been transferred. Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said last week he was putting further handovers on hold until the Palestinian Authority fulfilled a pledge to disarm militants in the two towns they already control.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said he preferred to use persuasion to maintain calm. However, Abbas took a firmer tone last week, warning militants he would use force against anyone who violated the truce.