The Israeli army said Friday its troops had killed three members of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Fateh movement this week during a bombardment of Beit Jala, a village near Bethlehem.
"We know for sure that we killed three people who belong to the group of Abeyat," Israeli army operations commander, Giora Eiland told a press conference.
Hussein Abayat, a former Fatah militia leader, was killed on November 9 by an Israeli rocket. Israelis said the killing was a "punishment" for his involvement in attacks that left three Israeli soldiers dead.
Abayat was also accused by Israel of being behind a series of gunfire attacks from Beit Jala on a nearby Jewish settlement of Gilo.
There was no immediate confirmation by Palestinian officials or residents of the Israeli army claim.
The Israeli bombardment of Beit Jala on Wednesday claimed the life of a German medical doctor, Harry Fischer, whose leg and hand were blown off when he left his home to help his neighbor whose house was on fire.
Another seven people were injured during the attack.
Violence between Palestinians and Israeli troops during the last seven weeks has left more than 240 people dead, mostly Palestinians, and gutted the peace process -- JERUSALEM (AFP)
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