Israeli troops kill three Palestinians in raid

JENIN, West Bank, May 4 (Reuters) Israeli soldiers shot dead three Palestinians, including two known militants, today during a raid in a West Bank village, residents and medics said.

Palestinian residents said troops searched buildings and gunshots were fired during the incursion. The bodies of three men were seen on the ground after the army pulled out and medics confirmed they were dead.

An Israeli Army spokesman said three gunmen had opened fire at a group of Israeli soldiers, who then fired back and hit all three of them. Palestinian residents said two of the men belonged to Islamic Jihad. One was not a known militant.

With some carrying the dead men on their shoulders, hundreds of residents rallied in protest after the soldiers left.

The Israeli military often raids Palestinian areas in the West Bank in search of militants. Islamic Jihad has carried out hundreds of attacks against Israel and did not agree to a truce deal other groups, such as Hamas, had signed last year.

REUTERS SM RK2334