Hamas militant killed in Hebron

A Palestinian militant has been killed after a two-hour gun battle with Israeli forces in the West Bank, witnesses and security sources said.

Palestinian sources said the man was Malek Nasser Eddin, 35, a member of militant group Hamas.

The Israeli army said he had long been on its wanted list.

It said he was killed in his cousin's house in Hebron after refusing to surrender and opening fire on troops surrounding the building.

More than 3,300 Palestinians have been killed since the outbreak of the Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in September 2000, according to Palestinian statistics.

Israeli says 972 of its civilians and security forces have been killed in the same period.