Israel said Sunday that three soldiers who died in an overnight gun battle with Hamas militants in a West Bank village may have been killed by friendly fire.
The firefight erupted in Assira Shamaliya in the northern West Bank during an abortive operation by an elite army unit to track down Mahmud Abu Hannud, a Hamas leader on Israel's most wanted list who is suspected of involvement in a string of terror attacks.
Three soldiers were killed and a fourth wounded, and two Hamas activists, including Abu Hannud, were hurt.
"It is possible that some of the dead and injured were victims of our soldiers' fire," Prime Minister Ehud Barak told reporters.
Israeli army chief of staff Shaul Mofaz also said he could not rule out the possibility of friendly fire.
"There was a very grave mistake," he told a press conference. "We will know with certainty what happened in a few days after the investigation committee presents its conclusions."
The three dead men were identified as Liron Sharvit, 20, Roy Even, 21 and Niv Yaacobi 20, who all held the rank of first sergeant. Abraham Joseph, who was moderately injured, is in hospital in Tel Aviv where his condition is described as stable.
Funerals for Sharvit and Yaacobi will be held later Sunday. No details have been announced for Even.
"Israel will continue to fight with all its forces against terrorism despite the very heavy price," Barak said.
Abu Hannud, 33, who was slightly injured in the hand, fled but was later arrested by Palestinian security forces, said General Yitzhak Eytan, army commander in the West Bank.
The second Hamas activist captured was Nidal Ghallamseh, 36, whose house was the scene of the fight and was later demolished by army bulldozers.
The radio said Barak may request the Palestinian authority to hand over Abu Hannud to the Israeli authorities.
Israel suspects Abu Hannud of involvement in a 1997 bombing on west Jerusalem's central market which claimed 17 lives, including two suicide bombers, and several other attacks since then.
"His continuing operation would have endangered the lives of dozens of Israeli citizens in the future," Barak said -- ASSIRA SHAMALIYA (AFP)
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