One killed in Bethlehem shooting

A Palestinian security force member has been shot dead in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, reportedly by Israeli soldiers on an arrest mission.

Israeli troops opened fire on a group of Palestinian policemen on guard outside a compound, Palestinian security sources say.

An Israeli army official quoted by AP news agency says the troops came under fire while trying to arrest militants.

Separately, Israeli soldiers shot dead two militants in the Gaza Strip.

They were reportedly part of a Hamas unit preparing to fire mortars into Israel.

The Israeli troops in Bethlehem were dressed in civilian clothes and riding in a minibus, according to Palestinian sources quoted by AFP news agency.

They opened fire when police tried to stop and search the vehicle, they say.

The Israeli army source quoted by the Associated Press says the troops shot back after being fired on, and did not realise they had killed a policeman until after the shooting.

Their arrest mission was aborted and an inquiry has been launched, the source added.