Three Palestinian policemen, two Hamas fighters and a bystander died in a clash in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Sunday, Palestinian security officials said. Security sources said Palestinian police stormed the city of Qalqilya before dawn to arrest Hamas members. The two Hamas victims were named  as Mohammad Yassin and Mohammad Samman, who was Hamas military chied in the northern West Bank. He was wanted by Israel for over six years.

The owner of a home in which Hamas activists had been hiding was also killed, Palestinian security officials said.  Eyewitnesses said several Hamas fighters holed up in buildings had ignored calls to surrender.  

Palestinian forces loyal to PA chief Mahmoud Abbas have imposed a curfew on the city.

Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, called on its residents to hold rallies in protest of the incident in Qalqilia.  

© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)