Palestinians 'shot by Israelis'

Two Palestinian militants have been shot dead in an ambush near the West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian sources have said.

They were attacked by members of an undercover Israeli unit, who had been waiting in a car, witnesses said. The Israeli military has not commented.

Palestinian officials said the men were from the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.

Israel has stepped up its "targeted killings" of militants since a suicide bombing last month killed six Israelis.

'Shot twice'

Witness Mohammed Turkman said the militants were driving towards Jenin in a Volkswagen car when gunmen in a Mercedes opened fire, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Mr Turkman said the Volkswagen careered off the road and the gunmen shot the occupants again before driving away.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas blamed Israel for the attack.

"I want to condemn this Israeli escalation and warn of the serious collapse of the cessation of violence between the two sides," he said.

There have been sporadic attacks by Israel and the Palestinians since a ceasefire was declared in February, with each side accusing the other of violating the truce.