Israeli troops die in raid on militants

Hamas are strongly opposed to the peace process

Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in a gun battle during a raid on the hideout of a leading member of the militant Islamic group, Hamas, in the West Bank.

Shooting broke out late on Saturday as hundreds of troops occupied the village of Assira al-Shamaliyeh near the Palestinian-controlled town of Nablus.

The raid comes as peace talks enter a crucial phase

The Israelis were looking for Mahmoud Abu Hanoud, who is accused of involvement in at least two suicide bombings in Jerusalem in 1997.

The fugitive, who was wounded in the shootout, fled to Nablus, where he was placed under heavy guard.

Hamas has carried out a long campaign of violence against the peace moves between Israel and the Palestinians.

Negotiations to end the 52-year conflict are currently at a key juncture. Talks at Camp David broke down last month over the issue of Jerusalem but substantial progress was made in other areas.

Shootout

The raid on Assira al-Shamaliyeh, a known Hamas stronghold, began at about 2200 (1900 GMT) on Saturday.

Peace talks stalled at Camp David

Hundreds of soldiers sealed the village, imposed a curfew and carried out house-to-house searches.

At one point Mr Hanoud and another man fired at the troops, according to army commander General Yitzhak Eitan.

Three Israeli soldiers were killed in the ensuing shootout, and another nine were reported to have been wounded.

A second Hamas suspect was wounded and detained by the Israelis in the village.

The important thing here... is the real efforts of the Palestinian Authority in the fight against terror

Israeli Police Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami

Mr Hanoud was treated for gunshot wounds at the Evangelical Hospital in Nablus and was placed under heavy guard. Dozens of officers were patrolling the hospital grounds, while others were watching the area from nearby rooftops.

Israeli Police Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami would not say whether Israel would ask for Mr Hanoud's extradition.

Mr Ben-Ami praised the co-operation with the Palestinians.

He told Israel army radio: "The important thing here...is the real efforts of the Palestinian Authority in the fight against terror."

Suicide attacks

Mr Hanoud is accused by Israel of masterminding several previous attacks on Israeli civilians, including suicide bombings on an outdoor market and a street in Jerusalem in 1997. The attacks left 21 Israelis and five bombers dead.

Osama Bin Laden: Hamas denies links

Israel's army has been on a state of high alert in recent days over fears of fresh attacks on its civilians.

Although there is no necessary connection with the latest incident, the Israeli authorities made it known during the week that they had uncovered a ring of militants operating in the Palestinian-controlled areas associated with the internationally-sought terror suspect Osama bin Laden.

Hamas denied any association with the group but reaffirmed its opposition to the peace process.