Two Palestinians shot dead in West Bank as settler dies of wounds

Israeli forces on Tuesday continued their raids in the West Bank, killing two Palestinian activists in the West Bank city of Tulkarem. Elsewhere, around the West Bank city of Nablus occupation forces arrested nine "wanted Palestinians".

Israeli Border Policemen who had entered the West Bank village of Shweika, near Tulkarem, came under fire on Tuesday. One Israeli was wounded, according to Israel Radio. Later, Palestinian sources reported two Fatah - Tanzim men died in the area by Israeli fire.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning, Palestinian activists reportedly fired 12 mortar shells at Gaza settlements and Israeli army outposts. There were no injuries. In addition, a Qassam rocket reportedly landed near the southern town of Sderot and an explosive device was detonated near Israeli forces in Rafah. 

The Qassam Brigades, military wing of the Hamas Movement, on Tuesday declared responsibility for firing two mortar shells at the Netsar Hazani settlement in the Gaza Strip. The Qassam Mujahideen Monday night fired two other mortars at the Kissufim settlement and one at the Jani Tal settlement near Khan Younis.

In a related development, a 26-year old Israeli from the Gaza Strip settlement of Nissanit, died Tuesday of wounds sustained from a mortar shell attack in Gaza Strip nine days ago.