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Israel kills Islamic Jihad leader Israel kills Islamic Jihad leader
(about 5 hours later)
Israeli troops have killed a leader of the military wing of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad during a raid in the West Bank. Israeli troops have killed a leader of the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad during a raid in the West Bank.
Walid Obeidi was killed during an exchange of fire in the village of Qabatiya, near the northern town of Jenin, officials and witnesses said.Walid Obeidi was killed during an exchange of fire in the village of Qabatiya, near the northern town of Jenin, officials and witnesses said.
Two of Obeidi's bodyguards were wounded and arrested, the group said. Islamic Jihad is a small radical group that has launched most of the rocket fire directed at Israel from Gaza in the past two years.
Islamic Jihad is a small radical group that has launched most of the rocket fire from Gaza in the past two years. In Gaza itself, an Israeli air strike killed three Palestinians.
Its armed branch has also claimed responsibility for suicide attacks in Israel. Reports say a car carrying militants was the target of the Israeli missiles, but those killed were civilians, including a teenage boy.
'Refused to surrender'
Two of Mr Obeidi's bodyguards were wounded and arrested in the Qabatiya violence, Islamic Jihad said.
The Israeli army said that troops had attempted to arrest Mr Obeidi, described as the head of the armed wing of the radical Islamic Jihad movement in the West Bank.The Israeli army said that troops had attempted to arrest Mr Obeidi, described as the head of the armed wing of the radical Islamic Jihad movement in the West Bank.
He refused to surrender and was killed in an exchange of fire, the military said.He refused to surrender and was killed in an exchange of fire, the military said.
The death followed a major Israeli raid in Gaza City on Tuesday.The death followed a major Israeli raid in Gaza City on Tuesday.
At least 19 Palestinians were killed during one of the deadliest days of violence in recent months.At least 19 Palestinians were killed during one of the deadliest days of violence in recent months.
Israel said the incursion was an attempt to stop militants firing mortars into Israel.Israel said the incursion was an attempt to stop militants firing mortars into Israel.
Reports of more rocket fire followed the raid. Israeli radio reported that two rockets landed in open fields in southern Israel early on Wednesday. Reports of more rocket and mortar fire followed the raid. Hamas's armed wing claimed responsibility for a heavy barrage aimed at the Israeli town of Sderot, but there were no reports of injuries.
The violence comes after Israeli and Palestinian Authority negotiators began talks on Monday on core issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - borders, Jewish settlements, Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees.The violence comes after Israeli and Palestinian Authority negotiators began talks on Monday on core issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - borders, Jewish settlements, Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees.
The Palestinian Authority said Israel's military action was a "slap in the face" to US President George W Bush, who visited the area last week to promote peace talks.